Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint U.S.-Israeli Operation

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a joint American-Israeli operation targeting Iran on Saturday, Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday CNN, Al Jazeera. The Iranian government has announced 40 days of mourning.

Escalation of Conflict

The supreme leader was killed following an attack launched by the U.S. And Israel on Saturday as part of a major military campaign intended to topple the Islamic regime. Israel’s military reported that top Iranian security officials were among those killed, including the country’s defense minister, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei NBC News. Iranian state media has confirmed these deaths.

According to a person briefed on the strike, the attack was carried out by Israel NBC News. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Israel, with U.S. Support, had killed Khamenei, stating, “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.” He later warned against further retaliation, threatening a response “that has never been seen before!” NBC News.

Initial Strikes and Damage

The initial wave of U.S. And Israeli airstrikes began after sunrise in Iran on Saturday, with large explosions reported in Tehran NBC News. Early videos showed plumes of thick smoke rising from the city. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the attacks a “gross violation” of its national sovereignty, stating that both military and civilian targets were hit NBC News.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society relief group reported more than 200 people were killed in strikes across Iran NBC News. Iranian state media reported that one airstrike hit a girls’ primary school in southern Iran, killing at least 85 children, with more believed to be trapped under rubble NBC News.

Retaliation and Regional Impact

Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel, as well as at U.S. Bases across the region in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, causing ripples across the Middle East NBC News. Air raid sirens sounded in Israel, with missiles targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli rescue services reported one death and 121 injuries in the first 24 hours of the conflict NBC News.

Several Gulf countries also reported Iranian strikes. Bahrain reported an attack on a U.S. Naval base, even as the United Arab Emirates intercepted missiles, with shrapnel causing injuries in Abu Dhabi NBC News.

Statements from Leaders

President Trump stated the objective was to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” NBC News. He urged Iranians to “seize over your government,” suggesting this was their “only chance for generations” NBC News.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said the goal of the joint attack was to “remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran” NBC News.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strikes by the U.S., Israel, and Iran, warning of a “grave threat to international peace and security” NBC News.