TEHRAN, IRAN — March 1, 2026
Iran has officially confirmed that its longtime Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed during coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel, marking a historic and deeply destabilizing moment for the Islamic Republic.
The announcement was made Sunday via Iranian state television, which reported that the 86-year-old leader died inside his office in Tehran during attacks that began in the early hours of Saturday. Authorities immediately declared a 40-day national mourning period and a week-long public holiday in his honor.
The confirmation followed hours of conflicting reports from Iranian media outlets that had earlier insisted Khamenei remained alive and in command. The situation shifted dramatically when state television formally acknowledged his death, sending shockwaves across the country and the wider Middle East.
According to earlier statements, U.S. President Donald Trump said American intelligence working alongside Israeli forces successfully tracked and targeted the Iranian leader, describing the operation as a major turning point for Iran’s future.
Khamenei had ruled Iran since 1989, succeeding revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini. As Supreme Leader, he wielded ultimate authority over the nation’s political system, armed forces, and key state institutions, making him the most powerful figure in the country for more than three decades.
His death now triggers a complex constitutional succession process that has never before been tested under wartime conditions. Analysts say Iranian authorities may establish an interim leadership council to oversee the country until a new Supreme Leader is selected.
The development is expected to significantly heighten regional tensions and could reshape political and military dynamics across the Middle East in the coming weeks.
