Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a recent Israeli–US joint airstrike
Iranian state-linked media outlets are reporting that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a recent Israeli–US joint airstrike, marking what would be one of the most dramatic escalations in Middle East history.According to the reports, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was inside his official office at the time of the strike. Iranian media further claim that the government has announced seven days of nationwide public holidays and 40 days of official mourning across Iran.Reports say that in Mashhad, a black flag has been raised atop the dome of the Imam Reza Shrine, a traditional symbol of religious mourning. Footage released by Iranian outlets shows large crowds gathering at the shrine, with many visibly grieving.In neighboring Iraq, red symbolic lights were reportedly illuminated at major Shiite shrines, a gesture associated with revolutionary martyrdom narratives.Iranian state television also claims that senior officials, including Ali Shamkhani, were killed in the same wave of attacks. Additionally, reports say that a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was among those killed. State media further report that Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC following the alleged losses.International observers caution that misinformation is common during major conflicts and urge reliance on verified sources. If confirmed, the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader would represent a seismic shift in regional and global geopolitics.