The body of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been found, confirming his death, according to Israeli officials. The confirmation follows a day of joint military operations conducted by the United States and Israel within Iran.
The death of Khamenei, who had held power for nearly four decades, is expected to significantly alter the internal dynamics of the Iranian regime. Intelligence assessments, shared prior to the operation, indicated that his removal could empower hardliners within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), potentially leading to an escalation of military posturing in response to the attacks, according to the CIA.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death on social media, stating he was killed in the coordinated strikes. The Iranian government has not yet officially acknowledged the report.
Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader in June 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. His selection was considered surprising by some, as he had not been among the most prominent figures during the 1979 revolution. Prior to becoming Supreme Leader, Khamenei served as President of Iran from 1981 to 1989, and held positions as vice minister of defense and president during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.
As Supreme Leader, Khamenei held ultimate authority over Iran’s state affairs, including the power to decree laws and make final decisions on matters of economy, environment, and foreign policy. More recently, reports surfaced indicating Khamenei was attempting to position one of his sons as a potential successor, a move that reportedly caused friction with the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader.
Ali Shamkhani, a veteran security official and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and a key advisor to Khamenei, is also reported to have been killed in the attacks, according to Israeli sources. Shamkhani had a long history with the IRGC, serving as Minister of Defense from 1997 to 2005 and playing a role in the implementation of the 2015 nuclear agreement.
The initial targets of the U.S.-Israel operation included locations believed to be frequented by Khamenei, indicating his elimination was a primary objective. Israeli officials have indicated they possess photographic evidence confirming Khamenei’s death, sharing it with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While the Iranian government has so far dismissed reports of Khamenei’s death as “psychological warfare,” the IRGC’s potential rise to prominence in the wake of his death raises concerns about a more aggressive response. The CIA had warned that the IRGC could seek to avenge Khamenei’s death and potentially increase internal repression to quell any dissent.
