Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for over three decades, has died following a joint United States-Israeli military operation, Iranian state media confirmed Saturday. The announcement followed strikes targeting locations across Iran, including one that reportedly killed over 100 girls at an elementary school near a military base.
President Donald Trump publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death on his Truth Social account, indicating the attacks were aimed at regime change and would continue. Israeli officials also confirmed the operation, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The strikes prompted immediate retaliatory attacks from Iran, targeting US military bases, Israel, and other locations throughout the region. Iranian state functions have vowed retaliation, with the elite revolutionary guards stating a “ferocious offensive operation” would start “any moment now.” The Iranian government issued a statement calling the strikes a “great crime” that would “turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world.”
News of Khamenei’s death sparked celebrations in Los Angeles, where members of the Iranian diaspora gathered, some calling for the return of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, to lead a transitional government and oversee a referendum on Iran’s future. CNN reported scenes of jubilation among the community.
Khamenei, 86, had maintained an unyielding stance against the United States and repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel during his 30-year rule. He succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 and was the ultimate arbiter in Iranian state affairs, overseeing the economy, education, and defense. His death leaves uncertainty over Iran’s future direction amid heightened tensions with Israel and the West.
The conflict has already disrupted air travel, impacted densely populated areas, and caused disruptions to oil shipments. Further strikes were reported Sunday “in the heart of Tehran” by Israel, as Iran continued its attacks in response to Khamenei’s death.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) stated the attacks would “begin a massive uprising in fighting the world’s oppressors,” and vowed increased resilience. As of Sunday, the SNSC had not announced any specific targets or timelines for its planned offensive.
