Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dies in US-Israeli strikes, state media confirms
Forty days of national mourning declared across the country
DUBAI/TEHRAN – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has died in joint US and Israeli strikes, according to Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency on Sunday.
The announcement was followed by confirmation from state television that several of the country’s most senior military and security figures were also killed in the same wave of attacks.
Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei martyred in US-Israeli attacks on Iran pic.twitter.com/Qhu4WoDkrL
— Press TV ???? (@PressTV) March 1, 2026
Official media declared 40 days of national mourning following the death of the 86-year-old leader, marking one of the most dramatic moments in the Islamic Republic’s history. Earlier reports from state outlets said Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also killed in the strikes.
State TV later confirmed that Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi was killed alongside other senior generals.
Among those listed were defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour and defence council head Ali Shamkhani.
Iran vows revenge
The coordinated strikes, reported to have taken place on Saturday, have reshaped Iran’s military command structure within hours. Iranian state media described the attacks as part of ongoing US and Israeli operations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, widely known as the IRGC, pledged revenge. It said it had launched attacks on 27 bases hosting US troops across the Middle East, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.
Interim leadership
In accordance with constitutional provisions, a three-member temporary council has been formed to govern until a new supreme leader can potentially be selected. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed to the body, joining judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The 67-year-old Arafi is a member of the powerful Guardian Council and was confirmed to the temporary leadership council by the Expediency Council, an influential arbitration body within Iran’s political system. The Guardian Council is constitutionally responsible for selecting a new supreme leader.
State reports indicate that senior political and security figures, including Ali Larijani, are expected to play pivotal roles during the transition period. The balance of authority between clerical, military and elected institutions remains under close scrutiny.