TEHRAN – Iranian state media has confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has died.
State broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that the country’s highest leader had been “martyred”, according to announcements carried early Sunday.
The confirmation came after earlier public claims by United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Khamenei had been killed following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump stated on social media that Khamenei was dead amid escalating hostilities between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran. Netanyahu had also said there were indications the Iranian leader was no longer alive after the strikes.
Before the state-media confirmation, Iranian authorities had rejected the foreign claims, describing them as part of psychological warfare and disinformation.
As of now, Iranian officials have not released detailed information regarding the exact circumstances, timing, location or medical cause of Khamenei’s death beyond the wording broadcast by IRIB.
There has also been no official statement regarding succession or the appointment of a new Supreme Leader.
Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989 and was the country’s highest political and religious authority. The position holds ultimate oversight over key state institutions, including the armed forces and judiciary.
His death comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, with developments between Iran, the United States and Israel continuing to unfold. -MalayaDailyToday
