Trump Says Khamenei “Is Dead” as Tehran Disputes Claim, Missiles Fly
Donald Trump is publicly declaring Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead after a major U.S.-Israel strike campaign, a claim Tehran-linked outlets are disputing as the region braces for more retaliation.
The stakes are immediate: Reuters reports Iran fired missiles toward Israel and multiple countries hosting U.S. bases, while warning that the Strait of Hormuz was closed, a flashpoint with global oil consequences.
Reuters describes the operation as the most ambitious attack on Iran in decades, with the U.S. military naming the campaign “Operation Epic Fury” and Israel saying roughly 200 fighter jets struck about 500 targets across Iran.
But the central question remains unresolved in public: Reuters reports a senior Israeli official said Khamenei’s body was found, while Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported he remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “There are many signs that [Khamenei] is no longer alive.”
Trump has amplified the moment, posting on Truth Social that Khamenei “is dead” and indicating bombing would continue, while also telling NBC News he believed reports of Khamenei’s death were correct, according to AP’s live updates.
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Meanwhile, the retaliation picture is widening: Reuters reports missiles were launched not only toward Israel but also toward Gulf states hosting U.S. forces, and the Pentagon said there were no U.S. deaths or injuries.
Next signals to watch are an official confirmation from Iran’s leadership chain, damage assessments from the strikes, and whether shipping through Hormuz is disrupted as U.N. diplomats push for de-escalation.
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