Iranian state media confirms Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in airstrikes
What's the story
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in airstrikes on Saturday, Iranian state media confirmed, announcing 40 days of national mourning. The 86-year-old leader was targeted by the United States and Israeli forces. Earlier, US President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, saying Khamenei couldn't escape US intelligence and surveillance. An Israeli airstrike is said to have killed him, a source briefed on the attacks told NPR.
Leadership
Who was Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei
Khamenei, who was born in April 1939 in Mashhad, rose to prominence during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He became Iran's Supreme Leader in 1989 after Ruhollah Khomeini's death. Despite lacking the highest clerical rank at the time, he built a strong power base with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His leadership was marked by staunch opposition to the US and Israel.
Policies
His views on nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles
Khamenei supported armed groups in the region and backed Iran's nuclear and missile programs, calling them "defensive tools." His idea of "heroic flexibility" allowed for limited compromise, paving the way for the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. However, Trump withdrew from this agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Domestically, Khamenei relied on security forces to suppress unrest during protests in 2009, 2022, and earlier this year.
Downfall
Death comes after years of tensions with Israel, US
In his last months, Khamenei faced renewed pressure over Iran's nuclear program but refused to negotiate limits on ballistic missiles. Earlier Israeli and US strikes had killed senior commanders and damaged military sites. His death comes after a series of escalations between Iran, Israel, and the US. The situation further deteriorated after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, leading to direct airstrikes between Israel and Iran for the first time in 2024.