Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been confirmed dead following coordinated military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States, Reuters reported on Saturday.
According to Reuters, a senior Israeli official disclosed that Khamenei died in the attacks which targeted Iran’s top leadership.
Satellite images released after the strikes showed heavy damage and thick smoke rising from a compound in Tehran believed to be linked to Khamenei.
Multiple media sources have also confirmed the report, with some reporting that his body has been recovered.
Khamenei, 86, became Iran’s highest authority in 1989 following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic.
Under his leadership, Iran expanded its regional influence, backing allied groups across the Middle East, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Reuters noted that Israeli officials had long viewed Khamenei as a destabilizing force in the region.
