Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has died at 86, Iranian state media have announced, after US and Israeli airstrikes destroyed his compound in Tehran. His death follows weeks of escalating conflict tied to the long-running dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, which successive diplomatic efforts had failed to resolve.
Khamenei ruled since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, and transformed Iran into a central force opposing the United States and Israel across the Middle East. He backed allied militias from Lebanon to Iraq and Syria, expanded the power of the Revolutionary Guards, and maintained ultimate authority over Iran's military, judiciary and state institutions. Critics accused him of isolating the country internationally and crushing domestic dissent with force.
During his tenure, tensions with Washington deepened, particularly after Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in his first term. Khamenei rejected negotiations that would limit uranium enrichment and denounced what he called American interference. His death leaves Iran facing uncertainty abroad and rising pressure at home, especially among younger generations frustrated by economic hardship and political repression...
Read this story in chronological order:
US and Israel launch strikes on Iran.
Netanyahu's announcement after the strikes.
Donald Trump's announcement after the strikes.