State television announced overnight that Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for nearly four decades, was killed in his office on Saturday morning during coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel. The attack is part of a broader military campaign that US President Donald Trump said would continue with “heavy bombing” throughout the week.
The Iranian government has announced a 40-day national mourning period following confirmation of the Supreme Leader’s death.
In a statement released shortly after the news broke, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in History” and urged Iranians to “take back their Country,” signalling support for regime change in Tehran.
*Heavy casualties across Iran*
The strikes have resulted in significant civilian and military casualties. Iran’s Red Crescent said more than 200 people have been killed nationwide. Iranian state media reported that at least 108 people, including more than 100 girls, died when a strike hit an elementary school.
Sources speaking to international media said around 40 Iranian officials are believed to be among the dead. Israel said it killed several senior figures, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC has vowed to carry out “the most devastating offensive operation” in its history in response to the killing.
Overnight, Israel’s military launched additional waves of bombing, targeting what it described as Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles, launch sites and air defence systems.
*Retaliation across the region*
Iran has responded with a fresh wave of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. Missile attacks were reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, countries that host US military bases or are allied with Washington.
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded again on Sunday morning as Iran continued to fire ballistic missiles. Israeli officials said most were intercepted by air defence systems. However, one missile struck Tel Aviv, killing a woman, the first Israeli fatality of the conflict, and injuring 120 others, most of them lightly, according to ambulance services.
Iran’s retaliatory campaign has also targeted US military facilities and key infrastructure across the Middle East region, disrupting air travel and oil shipments.
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