Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Dead After Joint US-Israeli Strike

Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died following a coordinated aerial assault by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian military and government facilities. The attack has created a major power vacuum in Iran and prompted threats of retaliation from the Revolutionary Guard.

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operation has plunged the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and heightened fears of widespread regional conflict.

Iranian state television and the official IRNA news agency confirmed the 86-year-old leader’s death on Sunday morning. Hours before the Iranian announcement, President Donald Trump had already revealed Khamenei’s death, stating it provided Iranians with their “greatest chance” to “take back” their nation.

The confirmation followed a combined American-Israeli air campaign that struck Iranian military installations and government facilities. Trump described the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” as an operation that would persist throughout the week or for as long as required.

This military action represents a dramatic escalation in U.S. involvement in Iran, becoming the second American attack on the country within eight months during ongoing nuclear program negotiations. Khamenei’s elimination after holding power for decades is expected to trigger a substantial leadership crisis, as no clear successor has been identified and the supreme leader controlled all major policy decisions.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard responded on Sunday with warnings of launching their “most-intense offensive operation” ever against Israeli and American military installations.

Argentine President Javier Milei commended the joint American-Israeli mission that led to Khamenei’s death, calling him “one of the most evil, violent, and cruel individuals in modern history.”

Milei referenced the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives and wounded hundreds in one of Argentina’s deadliest terrorist incidents.

The Argentine leader emphasized that seeking justice for AMIA victims remains a national priority. “We will continue until the last person responsible pays with his freedom or his life for this horrific crime,” Milei declared.

Chinese authorities are organizing evacuations for their nationals in Iran, according to media reports.

Over 200 Chinese citizens are currently dispersed throughout Iran, Iran Federation of Chinese Organizations president Tan Kai informed the Global Times. The organization is preparing evacuation procedures under Chinese Embassy guidance, Tan explained.

Embassy officials confirmed that land crossings with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey remain accessible for those choosing to leave independently.

The Chinese embassy in Israel has instructed citizens to relocate to secure areas away from Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem city centers, as well as airports, power facilities and similar infrastructure. Officials announced they would begin registering citizens on Sunday who require evacuation assistance to Egypt.

Two senior Iranian officials died in the American-Israeli airstrikes, state media confirmed Sunday.

IRNA reported the death of Major General Mohammad Pakpour, who had assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Guard after Israel eliminated his predecessor during the 12-day June conflict.

Ali Shamkhani, a longtime prominent figure in Iran’s security apparatus, also perished in the strikes, according to IRNA. Shamkhani had sustained injuries during the June war.

A governing council has been established to lead Iran following Khamenei’s death.

This council operates under Islamic Republic law and includes Iran’s current president, the judiciary head, and a Guardian Council member selected by Iran’s Expediency Council, which provides guidance to the supreme leader and resolves parliamentary disputes.

The council comprises reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Iranian law mandates that the Assembly of Experts “must, as soon as possible,” select a new supreme leader.