The Associated Press reported state TV gave no cause for the 86-year-old’s death, with the announcement following joint US-Israeli strikes on the country. It comes after US President Donald Trump claimed Khamenei had died in the attacks on Saturday morning and urged the Iranian people to seize “the single greatest chance … to take back their country”. The US and Israel described the attacks as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. Following the strikes, Sir Keir Starmer convened the Government’s emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning, before consulting with European and Gulf allies. Later on Saturday, Sir Keir spoke to Mr Trump to discuss the situation and set out the UK’s role in defensive operations in the region.

Source: The Times March 01, 2026 02:22 UTC