Iran's state media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of a joint US-Israeli military campaign aimed at regime change. The confirmation came early on Sunday, hours after satellite imagery showed his secure compound had been heavily damaged in the initial barrage on Saturday. Khamenei had not been heard from since the strikes began.
US President Donald Trump announced the death on Truth Social, describing Khamenei as 'one of the most evil people in history' and saying that 'working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do'. Trump stated that the goal of the campaign, which he called 'Operation Epic Fury', was regime change, adding: 'This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.'
Iranian media reported that Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were also killed in Saturday's strikes. The chief of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Pakpour, and another top security adviser were also confirmed dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were 'many signs' Khamenei was no longer alive, and that strikes had killed 'several leaders' involved in Iran's nuclear programme, with further attacks planned.
Israel launched another wave of strikes against Iranian ballistic missile and air defence systems early on Sunday, while US Central Command said it was 'delivering swift and decisive action'. Iran retaliated by targeting US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, with reports of explosions in the UAE. A 50-year-old woman was killed by a missile strike in Tel Aviv, the first fatality in Israel since the war began, and around 120 people have been injured. In Abu Dhabi, shrapnel killed one person, while debris caused fires at Dubai's main port and on the facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Iranian media reported that 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in the initial attacks. Following Khamenei's death, President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and another top official will lead Iran during the transitional period, according to state media. Analysts indicated that the ultraconservative Revolutionary Guards may be better positioned to consolidate power, as the Assembly of Experts would normally convene to select a new supreme leader. The conflict has plunged the Middle East into a new regional war with no clear timeline or outcome.
