New Delhi: Conflicting reports have emerged over the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following large-scale Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities early Saturday.
Reuters, citing Israeli officials, reported claims that Khamenei may have been killed, with his body allegedly found under debris at a strike site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “indications” that Khamenei had been eliminated, but did not provide evidence.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the reports, stating that the Supreme Leader is alive and has been moved to a secure location.
Heavy casualties reported
Iran’s Red Crescent Society said at least 201 people have been killed and 747 injured in the joint US-Israel strikes across multiple cities.
Iranian media also reported that a missile struck a school, killing 85 students and injuring 45 others.
Reuters further claimed, citing sources, that Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour were killed in the attacks. There has been no official confirmation from Tehran on these claims.
Who is Khamenei?
The 86-year-old Khamenei is Iran’s commander-in-chief and holds ultimate authority over political and religious matters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reports directly to him.
He became Supreme Leader in 1989 after the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and played a key role in the 1979 revolution that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
One of Saturday’s reported strikes took place near Khamenei’s office in Tehran. His public absence in recent days has further fuelled speculation, though Iranian officials insist he remains safe.
The situation remains fluid, with no independent confirmation of the claims surrounding Khamenei’s status.
