Supreme Leader of Iran Killed in Massive US-Israeli Military Operation
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, has reportedly been killed in a sweeping joint operation by the United States and Israel, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in Middle Eastern geopolitics in decades. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB confirmed his death, describing it as “martyrdom” and stating that the 86-year-old cleric was killed in his office during coordinated aerial strikes on Tehran.
US President Donald Trump claimed Washington worked closely with Israel to target Iran’s top leadership, calling Khamenei’s death “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.” He warned that further strikes would continue if necessary to neutralise what he described as Iran’s long-standing nuclear threat.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei’s compound was destroyed in the operation. Reports indicate several senior Iranian figures were also killed, including Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour, and adviser Ali Shamkhani.
Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, held ultimate authority over Iran’s military, judiciary and political establishment. Initially perceived as a compromise figure, he consolidated power over three decades, steering Iran through sanctions, regional conflicts and internal unrest while maintaining a staunchly anti-Western stance.
His assassination creates deep uncertainty over Iran’s succession process and raises fears of broader regional conflict. Tehran has already launched retaliatory missile strikes, and the prospect of prolonged confrontation now looms over an already volatile Middle East.
