Iranian Authorities confirm Khamenei alive amid Israeli strike rumours

Following reports from Israeli media suggesting that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have been killed in Saturday morning’s military strikes, Iranian officials have confirmed that the leader remains alive.

Israeli Channel 12, citing anonymous sources, had indicated that the 86-year-old leader could have been killed, with other Israeli outlets reporting similar claims while emphasising that official confirmation was pending.

Responding to the speculation, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi told NBC News that, to his knowledge, Ayatollah Khamenei was still alive.

The military operations, against Iran, launched early Saturday by Israel and the United States, reportedly targeted several locations linked to Iranian leadership.

Initial strikes were reported near the offices of Khamenei, who is believed to have been relocated to a secure site prior to the attacks.

Israeli media reported that the strikes also targeted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to their unnamed sources.