Tehran confirmed on Sunday the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during a U.S.-Israeli military operation, according to Iranian state television. The information was initially announced on Saturday by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Iranian authorities, the strikes targeted locations where the country’s leadership was meeting. The Israeli military had earlier stated that several senior officials were killed in the operation, including the defense minister and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guards pledged a “severe punishment” for those considered responsible for the death of the Supreme Leader.
The announcement regarding Ali Khamenei’s death was made on Saturday at approximately 21:30 GMT by Donald Trump from his residence in Florida, where he was overseeing the military campaign. Iranian media also reported the deaths of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Domestic and International Reactions
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah, reacted on the social media platform X, stating that “with his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively ended.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that the “martyrdom of Imam Ali Khamenei will mark the beginning of a great uprising against the tyrants of the world.”
During the night, news of the death of the leader who had ruled Iran for 37 years, succeeding Ayatollah Khomeini, prompted mixed reactions. According to witnesses, applause and cheering were heard in some areas. On Sunday morning, thousands gathered in Tehran, waving Iranian flags and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.
Power Transition
Iranian state television announced that the transition of power will be ensured by a triumvirate composed of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a member of the Guardian Council.
Authorities declared 40 days of national mourning.
Casualties and Military Context
Saturday’s attack resulted in more than 200 deaths, according to the Red Crescent. Following the operation, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and against United States military forces stationed in the Middle East, as well as against several Arab countries hosting U.S. military bases.
The Supreme National Security Council was established in August to centralize military strategy after a 12-day war in which Israel and the United States attacked Iran.