Netanyahu, Trump say Iranian Supreme Leader died in airstrikes; Tehran yet to confirm
March 1, 2026: Israeli officials have reportedly confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following recent airstrikes, according to Israeli outlet N12. Reports claim that documents and visual evidence of Khamenei’s body were presented to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who subsequently stated that the Iranian leader was no longer alive. US President Donald Trump also posted on Truth Social asserting that Khamenei had been killed, reinforcing the Israeli claims.
Israeli sources further alleged that two of Khamenei’s family members, including his daughter-in-law and son-in-law, were killed in strikes targeting his residence and key facilities. Additional unverified reports suggested that senior Iranian military officials, possibly including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leadership and even Iran’s defence minister, may have died in the operation. However, these claims remain unconfirmed.
There has been no official statement from Iran verifying the reports. The situation remains highly volatile as military tensions continue between Iran and Israel, raising critical questions over whether the reported killing would escalate the conflict further or potentially alter its trajectory.