Khamenei death reports denied by Iranian authorities on Saturday after Israeli officials claimed the supreme leader had been killed in air strikes on Tehran.
Iranian state media cited the head of public relations at the supreme leader’s office as saying Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was “safe and sound.” Officials described the claims as part of the enemy’s “mental warfare” and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
The statements came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were growing signs that Khamenei was “gone.” A senior Israeli official also reportedly claimed that his body had been found following a strike on his compound.
Khamenei Death Reports Denied Amid Conflicting Claims
Israel’s military said it struck hundreds of targets across Iran, including strategic defence systems and meeting sites where senior officials were allegedly present. Netanyahu stated that several Revolutionary Guards commanders and senior nuclear officials were killed.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei was dead. Other media outlets cited unnamed US officials suggesting similar claims.
However, Iranian authorities strongly rejected the reports. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told media outlets that the supreme leader and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both alive.
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Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported that Khamenei remained “steadfast and firm.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also dismissed the claims, saying the supreme leader was alive “as far as I know.”
A source with knowledge of the situation indicated that Khamenei may have been transferred to a secure location outside Tehran. Satellite images showed significant damage to his compound, but independent confirmation of his status was not immediately available.
The escalation follows intensified strikes involving the United States and Israel. Global tensions have risen, with conflicting statements fueling uncertainty.
As the situation develops, official confirmation from verified sources remains critical.
