Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has died, Iranian state media confirmed Sunday, triggering a vow of retaliation from the Revolutionary Guard amidst escalating regional tensions. The announcement, delivered by a visibly distraught newsreader on state television, follows reported Israeli, and U.S. Airstrikes targeting Iranian soil on Saturday.
The Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s elite military force, has pledged to avenge Khamenei’s death, according to reports from NOS Nieuws. The timing of the announcement coincides with ongoing attacks on Iran, with the Israeli military claiming to have struck approximately thirty targets, including air defense systems and military headquarters. Explosions were reported overnight in Tehran, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.
The death of Khamenei occurs against a backdrop of heightened military activity in the region. Earlier this month, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard conducted a series of naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport, according to both NRC Handelsblad and Zeelandnet. These exercises, described by state news agency IRNA as preparation for “potential security and military threats,” took place as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States were underway.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is a vital chokepoint for international energy supplies, with approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passing through it. Iran has previously threatened to block the strait, a move that would have significant consequences for global trade. Bloomberg reports that oil tankers are already diverting away from the Strait of Hormuz, potentially impacting gas and oil prices.
Indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. Regarding Iran’s nuclear program were scheduled to continue in Geneva on Tuesday, mediated by Oman. Prior to the announcement of Khamenei’s death, Iranian state media reported that the U.S. Position in the negotiations was “shifting towards more realism.”
The developments follow a period of increased regional instability, including the suppression of protests in Iran in January and the deployment of a second U.S. Aircraft carrier to the region in February 2026, as reported by NRC Handelsblad. The U.S. Had previously demanded that Iran curtail its nuclear program, threatening military intervention if necessary.
The Dutch government has updated its travel advisories for the Middle East in response to the escalating situation. The Iranian Red Crescent has reported over 200 deaths resulting from attacks within Iran, though independent verification of this figure is currently unavailable.
