On Saturday, President Trump said that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, had died following joint Israeli and U.S. strikes.
Trump repeated his claim on Truth Social, saying the 86-year-old leader was tracked and killed with help from Israel during the strikes.
He called it the best chance for Iranians to take back their country and urged the IRGC and police to join peacefully with patriots.
Prime Minister Netanyahu backed Trump, pointing to “growing signs” that Khamenei had been killed.
Reuters, quoting a senior Israeli official, reported that Khamenei’s body was allegedly found.
Iranian state media quickly denied the claims, saying Khamenei was still “steadfast and firm in command.” Officials in Tehran accused their opponents of “mental warfare” and warned people to be careful about misinformation.
Al Jazeera’s Tehran correspondent said Foreign Minister Araghchi told NBC News that, as far as he knew, Khamenei and other top leaders were healthy.
Iranian media reported that 201 people died in 24 provinces during retaliatory strikes as Iran targeted U.S. interests across the region.
Netanyahu said that “many senior figures,” including Revolutionary Guard commanders and nuclear officials, had been killed. He said operations would continue. Trump called for the government to be overthrown.
