U.S. and Israel strike Iran as Israel and Trump say Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed

Washington, United States. The United States and Israel launched what was described as their most ambitious attack on Iran in decades on Saturday, and Israel said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed in the operation. U.S. President Donald Trump later backed up the claim.

Claims and denials over Khamenei

Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” without elaborating on the source of the information. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei’s body had been found.

Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported that the supreme leader was “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.”

Iran response and regional fallout

Iran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host U.S. bases.

Trump’s stated aims and calls to Iranians

Trump said the strikes were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon. He called on Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and invited Iranians to topple their government once the bombing ended.

Later on Saturday, Trump told NBC News that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership has been killed and said he believes reports of Khamenei’s death are accurate. “We feel that that is a correct story,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview, according to a report on its website.

Netanyahu statements and reported casualties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were many signs indicating Khamenei “is no longer” and called on Iranians to finish the job. He said Khamenei’s compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been killed.

Three sources familiar with the matter said Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in the Israeli attacks. Iranian media had said Khamenei’s son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed.

Explosions and public reaction

In cities across Iran, explosions caused widespread panic.

How do you assess the conflicting reports about Iran’s leadership following the strikes?