Family members of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were reported killed in the latest wave of US-Israeli strikes, according to Iranian media, even as conflicting claims continue over the leader’s own status. The reports surfaced amid rapidly escalating tensions in West Asia following a major joint military operation targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure.
Iran’s Fars news agency said the Supreme Leader’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were among those killed in the attacks, citing sources within Khamenei’s household. The report did not specify which of his children was affected. Khamenei is known to have six children, including three daughters, and independent verification of the reported family casualties was not immediately available.
The development came shortly after US President Donald Trump claimed that the 86-year-old Iranian leader himself had been killed in the operation. In a Truth Social post, Trump described the strike as justice for Iranians and Americans and said the campaign of “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue “as long as necessary” to achieve what he called peace in the Middle East.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said there were “many signs” that Khamenei was no longer alive, claiming Israeli forces had destroyed the Supreme Leader’s compound in Tehran. Netanyahu added that additional senior Iranian officials and figures linked to the nuclear programme had been targeted and warned that further strikes were planned in the coming days.
However, Iran’s state-linked outlets have issued mixed responses. While some reports acknowledged casualties among senior figures, other agencies, including Tasnim and Mehr, insisted that Khamenei remains alive and is “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.” Iranian officials have not released fresh public footage of the Supreme Leader to conclusively settle the competing claims.
The joint US-Israeli operation began Saturday with strikes reported across Tehran, prompting Iran to condemn the attacks as illegal and unprovoked. Tehran subsequently launched missile responses toward Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American military bases, raising fears of a wider regional conflict as global powers closely monitor the rapidly evolving situation.
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