BREAKING: Iran confirms death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after US-Israeli attack

Iran has officially confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who reportedly died following a large-scale joint military operation by the United States and Israel.

Iranian state media announced on Sunday that the 86-year-old leader had “attained martyrdom” after the strikes carried out on Saturday. Reports from the state broadcaster IRIB and the Mehr News Agency said Khamenei died alongside members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law and grandson.

Authorities also declared 40 days of national mourning across the country in honour of the late leader.

Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic who led the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the government of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

As Supreme Leader, Khamenei exercised ultimate authority over Iran’s political system, armed forces and judiciary while also serving as the country’s highest religious authority.

During his decades in power, he oversaw a prolonged period of tension between Iran and Western countries, particularly the United States and Israel. He consistently described the United States as Iran’s principal adversary and maintained strong backing from powerful security institutions including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary force.

Khamenei repeatedly insisted that Iran’s nuclear programme was strictly for civilian purposes, despite persistent accusations from Israel and some Western officials that Tehran was pursuing nuclear weapons.

Tensions escalated in recent months after threats from Israeli and American officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously suggested that Khamenei could be targeted, while U.S. President Donald Trump had warned that the Iranian leader was an “easy target” during heightened regional tensions.

Iran said the late leader remained committed to resisting Western pressure and sanctions throughout his rule, maintaining the ideological direction of the Islamic Republic.