Israel’s Channel 12 television reported, citing unnamed Israeli sources, that there are “growing signs” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed, The Times of Israel reported on Feb. 28.
Iran’s Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, were killed in Israeli strikes, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with Israel’s military operations and one regional source.
Speaking live from Tehran after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Araghchi said two commanders were killed, but senior regime officials — including the head of the judiciary and the speaker of parliament — survived.
“All senior officials are alive,” he said. “Right now everyone is in place, we are managing this situation, and everything is fine.”
There is no official confirmation of his death.
Minutes before reporting his possible death, Israel’s Channel 12 said that, in Israel’s assessment, Khamenei was “at least injured.” The network said the assessment was based not on satellite imagery, but on information from unnamed sources.
Reports earlier said an address by Khamenei was expected shortly. Channel 12 said that if such a speech is released, it would have been recorded in advance.
The network also said the day’s strikes caused “very significant damage” to the leadership of Iran’s regime and its military commanders.
Earlier, reports said Khamenei’s palace in Tehran had been completely destroyed. Channel 12 said it remains unclear whether he was inside at the time of the strike.
The New York Times reported that satellite images show a column of black smoke and extensive damage at Khamenei’s compound in Tehran. The Supreme Leader’s whereabouts remain unknown. An image taken by Airbus on Saturday morning shows collapsed buildings within the complex, which typically serves as his residence and the primary venue for receiving senior officials.
An Israeli official previously said the strikes targeted Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The outcome of the strikes remains unclear.
