U.S. and Israeli officials say Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in a large military strike on Iran.
The strikes happened on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched a coordinated attack targeting Iran’s leadership and strategic sites. Officials from Israel reported that Khamenei’s compound in Tehran was hit hard and they believe his body has been found in the rubble.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “many signs” that Khamenei was no longer alive, and called on people in Iran to rise up against their leaders. U.S. officials also backed this claim, describing the mission as a major blow to Iran’s top command.
But Iranian officials deny the reports. State-linked media and government spokespeople have said Khamenei is still alive and leading the country, calling the claims part of “psychological warfare.” So far, Iran has not confirmed the death.
The attacks led to retaliation from Iran, with missiles fired at Israel and U.S. positions in several Middle Eastern countries. This has raised fears that the conflict could spread and affect the wider region.
At this moment, it is not independently verified whether Khamenei is dead different countries’ statements conflict, and the situation continues to unfold. More updates are expected from global news and official sources.
