March 1, 2026 — In the midst of one of the most serious escalations between Iran, the United States and Israel, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is dead following a joint U.S.–Israeli military operation targeting Iranian leadership and strategic sites.
Trump posted on social media that Khamenei — who has led Iran since 1989 — was killed in the strikes and described it as a historic opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim control of their country. He also suggested that many senior Iranian leaders were eliminated in the assault and said the bombing campaign would continue to achieve broader security objectives.
A senior Israeli official told international media that Khamenei’s body had been located, and Israeli authorities noted that several high-ranking Iranian defence figures were among those killed.
However, Iranian state media and Tehran-linked sources have strongly denied these claims, saying the supreme leader remains alive and actively “commanding the field.” Tasnim and Mehr news agencies quoted officials affirming Khamenei’s continued leadership and rejecting assertions he was killed.
There has been no independent, verified confirmation of Khamenei’s death. The situation remains fluid amid ongoing military activity and contradictory statements from the involved governments.
