Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for 36 years, was killed on Saturday (local time) after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on sites in Tehran.
Khamenei’s death was confirmed by IRIB state television on Sunday (local time), hours after US President Donald Trump announced his death in a post on Truth Social. Media reports indicate that the 86-year-old man was killed in his office in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement, state television said Khamenei’s death in his office “showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the head of his duties, facing what officials say is global arrogance.”
Everything you need to know about the events that led to Khamenei’s death:
The US and Iran are discussing the nuclear program
In February this year, US and Iranian officials met three times to negotiate the terms of the Iranian state’s nuclear program, which has been a sticking point for both sides, with US military forces in the Middle East and Tehran refusing to allow highly enriched uranium to be moved out of the country, Bloomberg reported.
The two sides met for the first time on February 6 in Oman, then the second round of talks was held on February 17 in Geneva, and the final round of talks ended on February 26 in Geneva.
Trump warns Iran
Days after a second round of talks between the two sides ended without a major breakthrough, Trump issued a warning to Tehran that “bad things” will happen if it does not agree to a deal on its nuclear program in the next 10 to 15 days.
Two days after the end of the second round of talks in Geneva, CNN reported on February 19, citing sources, that the US military plans to attack Iran over the weekend. But the report added that Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to authorize such an action.
The development came after the White House was informed of the possible strike at the weekend following a significant buildup of air and naval forces in the Middle East.
The US and Israel are attacking Iran
Two days after the third round of talks in Geneva ended with the US and Israel agreeing to reconvene them as early as next week, they launched a joint operation targeting Iran, which Trump called a “major combat” operation against Iranian military installations.
Washington and Tel Aviv have launched attacks on key targets across Tehran, with Trump advising the Iranians to take over the country once the “military campaign” ends.
“The hour of your freedom is at hand. When we are done, take over your government. You will take over. It will probably be your only chance for generations,” Trump said in a video shared on Truth Social.
Khamenei killed in US-Israeli airstrikes
Citing an Israeli official, The Times of Israel confirmed that Khamenei was killed on Saturday in an Israeli strike carried out on his site. The official went on to say that Khamenei’s remains were recovered from the site of the strike.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shown a picture of Khamenei’s body after it was recovered from the compound in Tehran.
