Reuters and Associated Press
Israeli officials say the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the operation, after the United States and Israel launched the most ambitious strikes at the country in decades.
Khamenei’s body has been found, a senior Israeli official told Reuters. Iran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases.
In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were many signs indicating Khamenei “is no longer” and called on Iranians to finish the job.
He said Khamenei’s compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been killed.
Shortly after the address, two Israeli officials said Israel had confirmed his death to AP. The officials both spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement and gave no further details.
Israeli military officials have confirmed that initial Israeli-led strikes had killed Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour, along with five other senior Iranian military officers. Iranian media had earlier reported that Ali Khamenei’s son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed.
While there is no official word from the Trump administration, a Fox News reporter said the United States believes that Ali Khamenei and five to 10 top Iranian leaders were killed in an initial Israeli strike, citing a US official.
The reports of the Ayatollah’s death have been contested by Iran, with Iranian state media citing a source close to Ali Khamenei’s office that the leader remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.
If confirmed, the assassination of the second leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, would throw its future into doubt.
