Tehran, March 1, 2026: Iranian state media on Sunday confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in what it described as coordinated United States and Israel air and naval attacks, declaring his death a “martyrdom” and announcing 40 days of national mourning across the country.
According to official Iranian reports, Khamenei was targeted inside his office during large-scale American and Israeli strikes launched amid rapidly escalating regional tensions. Iranian media said the attacks resulted in significant casualties and destruction at multiple strategic locations.
Earlier, Israeli media outlets reported that the Iranian leader had been sheltering in an underground bunker with close associates when approximately 30 bombs were dropped on his compound. Israeli sources claimed he was killed alongside several senior officials, adding that an image of his body had been shown to US President Donald Trump.
British media, quoting Israeli officials, also reported that Khamenei’s body had been located. In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were strong indications that Iran’s Supreme Leader was no longer alive, warning that Israeli military operations against Iran would continue “for as long as necessary.”
Israeli officials further claimed that several commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and senior nuclear officials were killed in the strikes. Reports suggested that Khamenei’s compound was destroyed and that thousands of additional targets could be hit in the coming days.
Iranian media reported that the joint US–Israeli attacks killed at least 201 Iranian citizens and wounded 747 others. Defense Minister Amir Nasserzadeh and Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour were also reported among the dead.
Reacting to the developments, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said seeking revenge for the killing of Khamenei and other senior officials was Iran’s “duty and legitimate right.” Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said Iran would devote all its strength to seeking justice from those who ordered and carried out what he called a “historic crime,” while offering condolences to the nation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani warned of unprecedented retaliation. Quoted by Agence France-Presse, Larijani said Iran had already fired missiles at the US and Israel and vowed that further strikes would be carried out “with a force they have never experienced before.”
Public anger has spilled onto the streets across Iran. Crowds gathered in the southern city of Shiraz, as well as in Tehran and the central city of Yazd, calling for vengeance. Demonstrators carrying portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei chanted slogans including “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” according to footage aired by Tasnim News Agency.
As conflicting claims and counterclaims continue to emerge, the situation remains highly volatile, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation in the days ahead.
