Following a coordinated military operation by the United States and Israel, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been presumed dead, according to multiple Israeli officials and U.S. intelligence sources. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced earlier in the day that there are “growing signs” that Khamenei is no longer alive after the operation. Reports from CBS News’ correspondent in Tehran indicate that people are celebrating in the streets of the capital.
However, state media and the Iranian Foreign Ministry have yet to confirm this claim. A leading Israeli broadcaster reported that Netanyahu had seen a photograph of Khamenei’s body. In response, the Israel Defense Forces stated at a press conference that seven Iranian officials and commanders were killed during Saturday’s operation, including Ali Shamkhani, who served as an advisor to Khamenei.
Khamenei, 86 years old, had held the position of supreme leader since the 1979 revolution. He wielded control over all branches of government and the military in Iran, often referred to as the spiritual leader. The succession question now looms large without clarity on who will assume this important role.
This breaking news is developing rapidly and will be updated with further information.