What we know about the death of Iranian supreme leader Khamenei

What we know about the death of Iranian supreme leader Khamenei

Satellite imagery from Airbus revealed smoke rising from Khamenei’s compound in Tehran on Saturday, confirming the death of the country’s hardline supreme leader. Iranian state media announced the news Sunday, sparking mixed reactions across the nation. Supporters of the regime expressed outrage, while opponents celebrated the loss of a leader they had long opposed. A TV broadcast host wept as he declared Khamenei had achieved “martyrdom” during an airstrike that reportedly targeted his residence while he was performing official duties.

Initial reports from Iran’s Foreign Ministry suggested Khamenei was “safe and sound,” but this was quickly overturned as both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility. “There are many signs” that the supreme leader is “no longer with us,” Netanyahu stated Saturday evening, without elaborating. Two Israeli sources shared with CNN that the strikes aimed to eliminate key figures, including Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Abdolrahim Mousavi, the head of the armed forces’ staff.

“It must be made clear once and for all that the Americans cannot bully the Iranian nation,” said Ali Larijani, a prominent adviser to Khamenei, who outlined plans for a temporary leadership structure. The council would consist of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council, according to the Middle East Institute.

Khamenei’s demise follows a period of declining influence for Iran, which has faced Western sanctions and military strikes since 2025. Protests ignited in January of that year, fueled by economic frustrations, and rapidly expanded to all 31 provinces. The regime responded with harsh measures, killing thousands of demonstrators and drawing international condemnation. Trump’s administration had previously warned of intervention to stop the “radical dictatorship” from threatening US interests.

With no clear successor, the Islamic Republic faces its most critical juncture since 1989. Analysts suggest Khamenei’s death may pave the way for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to maintain power. Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last shah, argued that any attempt to name a new leader would likely falter from the start. In the early hours of Sunday, crowds in Tehran waved flags and chanted “Death to America,” reflecting both grief and defiance amid the unfolding crisis.