Israel-Iran War: Conflicting reports emerging over the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, with US President Donald Trump telling American media that reports of Khamenei’s death “seem correct” while Iranian officials strongly denied the claims and called them “mental warfare” by enemies of the state .
The uncertainty deepened as state media announced Khamenei’s planned speech was cancelled, fueling further speculation about the 86-year-old leader’s status after strikes hit near his compound in Tehran .
Israel-Iran War: Is Ayatollah Khamenei Dead? What Officials are Saying
Claim: Khamenei is dead
The question of Khamenei’s fate has become the central mystery of the opening hours of this conflict, with dramatically different accounts emerging from US, Israeli, and Iranian sources. Reuters and several Israeli media outlets first reported that Khamenei was killed in the US-Israel strikes, citing unnamed sources. US President Donald Trump then told NBC News: “We feel that that is a correct story,” appearing to confirm the Israeli reports. A Fox News reporter, citing a US official, went further, saying the US believes Khamenei is dead, along with five to ten top Iranian leaders killed in an initial Israeli strike. Trump told ABC News: “A lot of it is, yeah. But we don’t know all, but a lot of it is. Was a very powerful strike.”
Claim: Khamenei is alive
Iranian authorities have pushed back forcefully against these claims. A senior official from Khamenei’s office said the reports were “mental warfare” by Iran’s enemies, designed to sow confusion and panic. Iranian semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported that Khamenei is “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” though they provided no evidence of his whereabouts or condition. Iranian officials maintain the supreme leader is “safe and sound,” but no official confirmation from Iranian state media about Khamenei’s status has been forthcoming, and the cancellation of his planned speech has done little to quell speculation.
What is known:
- Strikes hit near Khamenei’s compound in Tehran
- Roads to his compound were shut down by authorities
- A planned speech by Khamenei was cancelled, according to state media
- Neither Khamenei nor President Masoud Pezeshkian have appeared in public since the attacks
Israel-Iran War: Which other Iranian leaders were reportedly killed?
Beyond the question of Khamenei’s fate, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson stated that “a number of the most senior leaders of Iran” were “targeted” and “eliminated” in the strikes. According to IDF statements, three senior figures have been confirmed killed: Ali Shamkhani, who served as adviser for security affairs to the Supreme Leader; Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps; and Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s minister of defence. Trump told US media that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone,” adding: “The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone.” When asked by ABC News about Iranian leadership and whether the US believes they were killed in strikes, Trump said: “A lot of it is, yeah. But we don’t know all, but a lot of it is. Was a very powerful strike.”
The elimination of these three figures represents a significant blow to Iran’s military and security establishment. Shamkhani was a key liaison between the supreme leader and the IRGC, while Pakpour commanded the ground forces of the Revolutionary Guard. Nasirzadeh, as defence minister, oversaw Iran’s missile programs and military procurement. Their deaths, if confirmed, would disrupt Iran’s command structure at a critical moment.
Israel-Iran War: What did Trump say about next leadership?
In a revealing exchange with ABC News, Trump was asked about the next leadership in Iran and whether a successor to Khamenei has been identified. He responded: “Yes. We have an excellent concept. In light of the strikes, this statement implies that the US may possess intelligence about possible successors or internal dynamics inside Iran’s leadership structure. It also suggests that Washington has been prepared for Khamenei’s demise and has picked potential successors to run Iran.
Israel-Iran War: Where was Trump during the operation?
In an unusual break with presidential tradition, Trump monitored the operation from a makeshift situation room at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, rather than the Situation Room at the White House as would be customary during major military operations. Trump previously used this same room at Mar-a-Lago during the US operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro last month. Meanwhile, at the White House, Vice President JD Vance was in the actual Situation Room monitoring the operation with senior US officials including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The split command arrangement reflects Trump’s continued preference for operating from his private residence rather than the White House, even during moments of high national security sensitivity.
Israel-Iran War: What did Iran’s foreign minister say?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is open to reducing tensions if the United States or Israel offers such a plan. He acknowledged that Iran is under significant pressure after the joint attacks. This statement represents the first diplomatic signal from Tehran since the strikes began, though it came with conditions requiring US or Israeli initiative.
Israel-Iran War: What is the girls’ school strike in Minab?
Iranian reports indicate a strike on a girls’ school in Minab city in Hormozgan province killed at least 51 students and injured many others . The area is close to a Revolutionary Guard base, though the school itself was not a military target. The Minab strike has become a focal point for Iranian outrage, with state media highlighting civilian casualties amid the broader military conflict.
Israel-Iran War: How has Iran retaliated so far?
Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes toward Israel and at Gulf countries that host US military bases, including:
- US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain
- Al Udeid airbase in Qatar
- Al-Dhafra airbase in UAE
- Al-Salem airbase in Kuwait
Iranian officials have warned that stronger action may follow if the US-Israel strikes continue.
Israel-Iran War: What is Trump’s message to the Iranian people?
In his announcement of “Operation Epic Fury,” Trump addressed the Iranian people directly: He urged Iranian security forces to drop their weapons and called on the people of Iran to rise up once the bombing stops. He described the US operation as aimed at removing a threat and stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons .
Israel-Iran War: What is Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury is the codename for the joint US-Israeli military operation launched on February 28, 2026, targeting:
- Top Iranian leaders
- Military sites across multiple Iranian cities
- Government buildings
- The compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran
About 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation, which the IDF described as the “biggest ever military flyover” in its history. The aircraft struck about 500 targets in 24 Iranian provinces.
Disclaimer: This article is based on preliminary reports and official statements available at the time of publication. The situation is rapidly evolving, and information on leadership status remains unconfirmed. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
