Iranian state media has officially confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, following a large-scale joint military operation by United States and Israel early Saturday morning.
According to state television and the official Islamic Republic News Agency, Khamenei was killed at his office in Tehran during coordinated air strikes that reportedly hit multiple buildings within his compound.
Authorities announced 40 days of public mourning and seven days of national holidays.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death on social media hours before Tehran’s confirmation.
In a lengthy post, Trump described the Iranian leader as “one of the most evil people in history,” calling the strike justice for Americans and others killed in attacks attributed to Iran.
He said U.S. operations would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week, or as long as necessary.”
Footage broadcast by Iran’s Press TV showed mourners gathered at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, where supporters were seen weeping and collapsing in grief.
At the same time, separate reports described celebrations and fireworks in parts of Tehran, reflecting deep internal divisions after months of unrest in which many Iranians accused the leadership and security forces of violently suppressing protests.
IRNA also reported that senior figures were killed in the strikes, including Ali Shamkhani, a top political adviser to Khamenei and secretary of Iran’s defense council, and Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian state media further reported that members of Khamenei’s family — including his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson — were killed in the attack.
Additional strikes across the country reportedly caused significant civilian casualties, including a strike on a school in southern Iran.
Officials said more than 200 people have been killed nationwide.
Iran has launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli territory and U.S. assets in several Middle Eastern countries.
Multiple governments in the region have temporarily closed their airspace amid fears of further escalation.
Khamenei had led Iran since 1989, serving as the Islamic Republic’s highest authority for more than three decades.
His death leaves immediate questions over succession and the stability of the country’s political and military leadership as hostilities continue.
