Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed in U.S.-Israeli Military Strikes, Official Reports
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to a senior Israeli official who spoke to Reuters on Saturday. The official stated that the strikes targeted Iran's top leaders, but there has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding Khamenei's fate.
Background and Impact of Khamenei's Leadership
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, became Iran's highest authority in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. As supreme leader, Khamenei held ultimate control over Iran's political, military, and religious institutions, shaping both domestic policy and foreign relations. Under his rule, Iran transformed into a powerful anti-U.S. force, extending its military influence across the Middle East while repeatedly crushing domestic unrest and sidelining reformists.
Israel long viewed Khamenei as a destabilizing force in the region, citing his support for militant allies such as Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah. In June 2025, during a 12-day air war between Israel and Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate Khamenei, declaring that the supreme leader "cannot continue to exist." That conflict saw Israel launch a surprise strike that hit Iran's underground nuclear site, killed senior commanders and nuclear scientists, and decimated much of the military leadership.
Regional Conflicts and Nuclear Deal Tensions
Khamenei's killing deals another significant blow to Iran, which is already reeling from war and economic hardship. He upheld the conservative vision of his predecessor, quashing the ambitions of elected presidents who sought more open policies. Iran became a key regional player under his guidance, backing the 2015 nuclear deal brokered with world powers and pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani, which briefly eased Iran's isolation. However, tensions spiked after U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.
Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Iran has seen its allies weakened. Hamas and Hezbollah suffered heavy blows from Israel, while Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, long propped up by Tehran, was toppled in December 2024. The post of Supreme Leader was created after the 1979 revolution and enshrined in Iran's constitution, granting a top cleric ultimate authority over the president and parliament, with selection by the Assembly of Experts.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. and Israeli strikes aimed to end a security threat to the U.S. and provide Iranians an opportunity to topple their rulers. The situation plunges the Middle East into a deepening conflict, with implications for global stability and regional power dynamics.
