Is Khamenei Dead? Conflicting Statements Fuel Confusion
Claims that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes have triggered a wave of contradictory statements. While Israeli and US officials signal he may be dead, Iran insists he is “safe and sound.”
Tensions in the Middle East escalated further after reports emerged that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. Statements from Washington and Tel Aviv suggested the reports could be true, yet Iranian officials denied the claims, deepening uncertainty over his fate.
Netanyahu: “There Are Many Signs He Is No Longer With Us”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei’s residence had been destroyed in the strikes and added, “There are many signs that he is no longer with us.”
Israeli media outlets reported that Khamenei’s death had been confirmed. A senior Israeli official speaking to Reuters claimed that Khamenei’s body had been found. However, no formal public announcement was immediately issued.
Trump: “We Believe It’s a Correct Story”
US President Donald Trump appeared to back Israeli reports during interviews with American media.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump said, “We feel that that is a correct story,” referring to reports of Khamenei’s death. He added that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership was “gone” following what he described as a “very powerful strike.”
In comments to ABC News, Trump said that “a lot” of Iran’s top decision-makers had been killed, though he acknowledged that not all details were confirmed. Asked whether a successor had been identified, he replied, “Yes. We have a very good idea.”
According to a US official cited by Fox News, Washington believes Khamenei and between five to ten senior Iranian leaders were killed in the initial Israeli strike.
Iran Denies the Claims
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected the reports, stating that both the country’s president and Supreme Leader were “safe and sound.”
Despite the denial, Khamenei has not appeared publicly or in video messages since the strikes began, adding to speculation. Iranian media reported that Khamenei’s daughter-in-law and son-in-law were killed in the attacks, though no detailed official confirmation has been provided.
Escalation and Uncertainty
The reported targeting of senior Iranian leadership marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. If confirmed, the death of Khamenei would represent a historic turning point in the region’s power dynamics.
For now, however, conflicting statements from all sides have left the situation clouded in uncertainty.
