Tehran, Iran. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed and that his body had been found, though no official confirmation had been issued.
Reports from Israeli officials
Axios, citing a separate Israeli official, reported that Israel’s ambassador to the United States informed U.S. officials that Khamenei was killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran.
Netanyahu statement and strikes
The reports followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying earlier on Saturday that there were “many signs” Khamenei was “no longer with us,” after strikes he said had destroyed the supreme leader’s compound.
Background and lack of confirmation
Khamenei, 85, had ruled Iran since 1989. No official confirmation of his death had been issued at the time of publication.
What do you think would be the implications if Iran officially confirms Khamenei’s death?