Iranian state television on Sunday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence. A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning. Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989. US President Donald Trump had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran. “The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.

Source: Punch March 01, 2026 17:45 UTC