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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed dead

There will be a week-long public holiday and 40 days of public mourning will be observed, Iranian state media has reported

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to his supporters during a press conference after casting his ballot for the parliamentary runoff elections in Tehran on May 10, 2024
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to his supporters during a press conference after casting his ballot for the parliamentary runoff elections in Tehran on May 10, 2024. Picture: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

By Rebecca Henrys

Iran's state media has confirmed that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead.

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The announcement came hours after President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Khamenei was killed in strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.

There will be a week-long public holiday and 40 days of public mourning will be observed, Iranian state media has reported.

State media outlet Tasnim said: "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution was martyred at his workplace in the Leader's House

"At the time of his martyrdom, he was performing his assigned duties and was present at his workplace (his office), and this cowardly attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning."

Read more: No US casualties or injuries following retaliation by Iran to joint 'combat operation'

Read more: LIVE: US and Israeli launch joint 'combat operation’ targeting Iran

President Donald J. Trump Monitors U.S. Military Operations in Iran: Operation Epic Fury, February 28, 2026
President Donald J. Trump Monitors U.S. Military Operations in Iran: Operation Epic Fury, February 28, 2026. Picture: White House/X

His compound was damaged extensively in the strikes on Saturday.

Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday evening: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.

"This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.

"He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.

"This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the nation in a state television broadcast on June 18, 2025
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the nation in a state television broadcast on June 18, 2025. Picture: Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via Getty Images

The Telegraph has said the Ayatollah's body was reportedly recovered from the rubble, riddled with shrapnel wounds.

Photographs of the alleged assassination have been presented to Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli defence officials.

Trump added: "We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us.

"As I said last night, 'Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!'

"Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves.

"That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

"The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!"