The United States and Israel have claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed following coordinated military strikes targeting key leadership and military sites in Tehran but Iran has not officially confirmed his death, leaving the situation highly disputed.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that Khamenei died during the joint operation, describing the strike as a decisive blow against Iran’s ruling establishment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said there are “many signs” suggesting the Iranian leader is no longer alive after his compound was reportedly destroyed in the attacks. 

However, Iranian officials and state media have pushed back strongly against the claims, insisting that Khamenei remains alive and continues to direct national affairs. Iran’s foreign ministry said earlier that, “as far as we know,” the Supreme Leader was safe, accusing opposing nations of psychological warfare and misinformation. 

The strikes described as one of the largest U.S.Israel military operations in the region in decades have already triggered Iranian retaliation involving missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and U.S.-linked bases across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional war. 

As of now, there is no independently verified confirmation of Khamenei’s death, and global leaders are awaiting clear evidence or an official announcement from Tehran. The situation remains a rapidly developing international crisis.