By Peter Omopo
Iranian state television early Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announcing the development at 5:00 am local time while broadcasting archive footage marked with a black banner in mourning.
The broadcaster did not make reference to reports of a massive United States and Israeli attack on his residence. Khamenei, 86, had served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump claimed that Khamenei was killed in air strikes, though there had been no immediate confirmation from Tehran at the time of his statement.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in History” and said his death represented justice for Americans and others around the world allegedly harmed under his leadership. He also stated that the Iranian leader had been unable to evade US intelligence and advanced tracking systems.
Trump further said Khamenei’s death presented Iranians with what he called their greatest opportunity to reclaim their country. He claimed that members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, military and other security agencies were seeking immunity and were reluctant to continue fighting.
The US president added that military operations would continue as long as necessary to achieve what he described as peace in the Middle East, noting that heavy and precise bombing would persist throughout the week if required.
Iranian authorities have yet to provide further details surrounding the circumstances of Khamenei’s death.
