Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died, describing his death as “martyrdom” after what it alleged were U.S. and Israeli attacks on his residence. The ministry published the statement through its official account on X.
In its statement, the ministry said the attack happened early Saturday during the 10th day of Ramadan and claimed Khamenei was killed alongside other senior Iranian officials. It accused the United States and Israel of a “terrorist” assassination and framed the incident as a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law, including the U.N. Charter.
A day earlier, President Donald Trump also asserted that Khamenei is dead in a post on Truth Social, claiming Khamenei could not evade U.S. “tracking systems,” saying the U.S. was “working closely with Israel,” and arguing the moment created an opening for Iranians to “take back their Country.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a separate address, urged Iranians to seize what he described as a rare chance to rise up, saying Israel would strike “thousands of targets” in the coming days and calling for mass street mobilization and unity across Iran’s communities.
Later Sunday, Iranian state television also announced Khamenei’s death. “God is great… With deep sorrow, it is announced to the nation of Iran that Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei… was martyred today in a joint criminal attack by the United States and the Zionist regime,” an anchor said on-air.
Iran’s government declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of official holiday, according to Tasnim News Agency.
On succession, Tehran Times reported that Mohammad Mokhber, described as Khamenei’s lead aide, said a team consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i would lead the country until a new leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts.
Khamenei was key figure in Iranian political life for more than 40 years, and the country’s political and religious figurehead since 1989.
Ayatollah Khamenei was elected as Iran’s Leader in June 1989, following the passing of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Ruhollah Khomeini.
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