Iran called for vigilance from its citizens in the wake of reports suggesting that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been allegedly killed in an Israeli air strike. Iranian state media cited the head of public relations at the supreme leader’s office, who stated: “The enemy is resorting to mental warfare; all should be aware.”
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed there were growing signs that Khamenei was no longer alive and had announced a series of military actions in response. “This morning we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei,” Netanyahu said in his statement video. “There are many signs this tyrant is gone. This morning, we eliminated senior officials in the ayatollah’s regime, Revolutionary Guards commanders, and senior figures involved in the nuclear program — and we will continue. In the next few days, we will hit thousands more targets of terror.”
While Netanyahu’s claims were met with skepticism by Iranian authorities, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei was dead and his body had been found. The Israeli military reported hitting hundreds of targets in Iran, including strategic defense systems damaged in previous strikes last year. These strikes also hit three sites where leaders had been meeting simultaneously, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking officials.
Meanwhile, a senior official with knowledge about Khamenei’s condition stated that he had been transferred to a secure location outside Tehran, though satellite images showed significant damage to his compound in Tehran, raising questions about his whereabouts. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier dismissed reports of Khamenei’s death and reaffirmed that the supreme leader was still alive “as far as I know,” noting some commanders were killed but not a major issue.
Araghchi also dismissed efforts at regime change as “mission impossible” in response to US President Donald Trump’s post-attack remarks. As Iran continues to grapple with multiple crises, Khamenei has faced threats including his own exile last June when he was forced into hiding following attacks that killed close associates and commanders of the Revolutionary Guard.
Despite these setbacks, Khamenei remains a central figure in Iranian politics, holding ultimate authority over all branches of government. His regional influence has been weakened by recent conflicts, including sanctions on the population, protests in January resulting in thousands of casualties, and the Hamas attack on Israel that exposed vulnerabilities in Iran’s backing for Hamas. At 86 years old since assuming power in 1989, Khamenei continues to navigate the complex dynamics of Iranian domestic politics and regional conflicts.