Concept illustration depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei superimposed on a visibly cracked Iranian flag, alongside a regional map marking reported strike sites.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in U.S. and Israeli Airstrikes

Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reported killed after a series of air strikes carried out by forces of the United States and Israel, Iranian state media and several international news organisations have confirmed the news of his death.

Concept illustration depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei superimposed on a visibly cracked Iranian flag, alongside a regional map marking reported strike sites.

A senior Israeli official disclosed that the operation had killed Khamenei and members of his inner circle. Iran’s state broadcaster later confirmed the Supreme Leader’s death.

The United States and Israel said the strikes have targeted senior Iranian leadership and military sites. U.S. and Israeli statements quoted by international outlets described the operation as a coordinated campaign, while U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged close cooperation with Israel in the action.

Meanwhile, Iran announced a period of national mourning and held public ceremonies, state media reported. Officials in Tehran condemned the strikes as illegal and vowed retaliation, and early exchanges of missile fire and other attacks were reported across the region as tensions escalated.

News organisations reporting on the developing story said the strikes also hit senior security and military figures and caused damage in several districts of Tehran and other locations. International reaction was swift, with world leaders calling for restraint even as governments warned of wider consequences. Below is a careful, sourced list of senior Iranian figures reported killed in today’s U.S. and Israeli strikes.

  1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran.
  2. Ali Shamkhani, Senior adviser / former National Security Council secretary (top aide).
  3. Mohammad Pakpour, Commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  4. Amir Nasirzadeh, Iran’s defence minister.
  5. Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of staff / armed forces chief of staff.
  6. Other senior commanders and aides: several additional senior military, intelligence and security officials were reported killed in the strikes (reports vary by outlet). Iranian state media and regional outlets have said Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and a grandson were also killed; other named figures reported by some outlets include senior IRGC and intelligence officers (e.g., names reported by Iran International / regional outlets). These additional names are being reported but remain subject to verification.

Webresources:

1. Reuters: Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei killed.
2. Al Jazeera: Iran begins 40-day mourning
3. The Associated Press: Iran’s supreme leader killed in major attack by US and Israel.

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