Iranian state television early Sunday reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died, declaring 40 days of national mourning after what state media described as a major military attack on Iran.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB and state-linked outlets reported the death early Sunday. State media quoted the announcement as saying:
“The Supreme Leader of Iran has reached martyrdom.”
The state-affiliated Mehr news agency added:
“This great scholar and mujahid (fighter) sacrificed his life to lift Iran… and he is in the grand presence of martyrs above.”
State television also announced 40 days of national mourning and several days of public holiday following the reported death.
State media did not immediately specify a detailed cause of death, but other major outlets and Iranian reports say his death follows large-scale airstrikes by Israeli and U.S. forces on Iranian territory over the weekend.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, describing Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and stating he is dead after the strikes.
While state media and multiple international outlets report Khamenei’s death, some Iranian or semi-official outlets have denied the reports or suggested he remains alive and commanding, calling death claims “mental warfare” by enemies.
