TEHRAN: Iranian state television and the official news agency confirmed on Sunday that Ali Khamenei has died at the age of 86. Authorities did not provide details regarding the cause of death.
Khamenei became Iran’s highest authority in 1989 and, as Supreme Leader, exercised ultimate control over the country’s political, military, and religious institutions. Over more than three decades in power, he shaped Iran’s domestic direction and steered its foreign policy, including its stance toward the West and regional rivals.
State media also reported that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law were killed in recent U.S.–Israeli strikes.
The announcement comes amid intense regional escalation. Iran has launched missile attacks on Israel following what Washington and Tel Aviv described as a “major combat operation” against Iranian targets.
The developments have pushed the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further reduced prospects for a diplomatic resolution to Tehran’s long-standing nuclear dispute with Western powers.
