Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in a wave of joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, according to Iranian state media, marking a dramatic escalation in the Middle East crisis.
A tearful presenter on Iranian state television confirmed the 85-year-old cleric’s death, announcing that 40 days of national mourning would be observed across the country. Khamenei, who had ruled the Islamic Republic since 1989, was reportedly found in the rubble of his heavily fortified compound after missiles struck what sources described as a top-security bunker in the capital.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the development on Truth Social, writing: “One of the most evil people in history is dead.” In a further statement, he declared: “This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans.”
Mr Trump added: “He was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.” He warned: “The heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary.”
Iranian state media confirms Ayatollah was k!lled alongside daughter in airstrikes carried out by America and Israel (video)
Israeli officials said the strikes were part of a coordinated operation targeting senior figures within Iran’s military and political leadership. The Israel Defense Forces declared the “elimination” of virtually every senior Iranian defence chief, with reports suggesting up to 40 officials may have been killed.
An Israeli military official said: “The attack was based on an operational plan developed over several months, centered on an intelligence effort to identify an opportunity when senior regime officials would convene. Three sites where gatherings of the Iranian terror regime were taking place were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures essential to the regime’s governance were eliminated.”
Among those reportedly killed were Iran’s defence minister and senior Revolutionary Guard commanders, though Tehran had earlier dismissed claims of Khamenei’s death as “mental warfare”. Iran’s foreign minister had insisted the supreme leader was alive, but he did not appear for a scheduled televised address.
Iranian state media confirms Ayatollah was k!lled alongside daughter in airstrikes carried out by America and Israel (video)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Iranians to “take to the streets en masse” and “get the job done” in a direct appeal to topple the regime.
The US confirmed that more than 200 warplanes, supported by Tomahawk cruise missiles, struck 500 targets in what Israeli sources dubbed Operation Roaring Lion. American F-22 Raptors were believed to have led the assault, with aircraft carriers deployed across the region.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Explosions were reported near key installations, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar. One person was reported killed in Abu Dhabi, while Israeli emergency services said 89 people suffered minor injuries following interceptions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Footage circulating online showed flames rising near the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel in Dubai after an apparent drone strike, sending thousands of British tourists and expatriates scrambling for shelter.
The Islamic Republic, established in 1979, now faces an uncertain future as questions mount over succession and the risk of further regional escalation. Iranian authorities have yet to outline a formal transition plan, while military operations across the region remain ongoing.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has issued a stern warning to members of the state task force, stating that the unit risks being disbanded if found culpable of human rights violations.
Jimoh issued the warning on Saturday while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja, in reaction to a viral video showing the arrest of a traffic offender.
Recall that the incident sparked widespread debate online, with some residents alleging that task force officials used excessive force.
Speaking in response to a viral video involving the arrest of a traffic offender, the police chief maintained that there was no indication of abuse in the incident, stressing that the suspect was handled in accordance with established legal procedures.
He said that the individual arrested for driving against traffic was treated in line with the law and due process.
Jimoh explained that the suspect was promptly taken before a mobile court, where the charges were read, and bail was granted.
However, the individual was later remanded after failing to meet the bail conditions.
According to him, the task force is legally empowered to enforce environmental and sanitation laws across Lagos State, noting that their activities are essential to maintaining order in a densely populated city.
The commissioner said that he had already engaged task force personnel in retraining sessions focused on respecting human rights and maintaining professionalism in the course of duty.
“I will not hesitate to dissolve the task force and bring in a new set of personnel if there is clear evidence of human rights violations, as no officer is indispensable,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of social media and the media in bringing such incidents to public attention, describing it as part of the responsibility of citizens to hold institutions accountable.
However, he cautioned against spreading misinformation that could undermine public trust.
Calling on residents to remain law-abiding, the police boss urged members of the public to report any misconduct to the police, assuring that all complaints would be thoroughly investigated.
He said that policing in Lagos required a balance between enforcing the law and respecting the dignity of citizens.
“Lagos has a population estimated between 20 and 25 million people, making strict adherence to laws essential to prevent disorder and chaos,” he said.
Iran’s foreign minister has warned the United Kingdom that Tehran considers Britain’s decision to allow the United States to use British military bases as “participation in aggression.”
Seyyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the UK’s “negative and biased” stance toward the US-Israeli assault on Iran during a call with his British counterpart.
Araghchi warned that granting America access to UK bases “will certainly be considered participation in aggression.”
However, in response to the allegation, a spokesperson of the UK Prime Minister told reporters the UK granted the United States access only “for a specific defensive and limited purpose” in response to Iran’s strikes across the Middle East.
“Our position has been crystal clear from the outset. We didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and we’re not getting drawn into the wider war,” the spokesperson said.
According to reports, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused Washington’s request to use UK military bases for its attacks on Iran, with the PM considering the strikes illegal.
However, Starmer joined the defence against Iran’s retaliation after Iranian forces attacked British military assets in the Middle East.
It was reported earlier that Starmer said his country accepted a United States request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” Starmer said at the time.
Tehran’s warning escalates diplomatic tensions between Iran and Britain as the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week.
The British government authorised the United States on Friday to use military bases in Britain to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a decision that prompted Iran to warn the move constitutes “participation in aggression.”
According to a British spokesperson, ministers met on Friday to discuss the war with Iran and Iran’s blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
“They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
It was reported earlier that Iran’s foreign minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, warned the United Kingdom that Tehran considers Britain’s decision to allow America to use British military bases as “participation in aggression.”
Araghchi criticised the UK’s “negative and biased” stance toward the US-Israeli assault on Iran during a call with his British counterpart following Friday’s authorisation.
Starmer Reverses Earlier Position On Base Use
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this week Britain would not enter a war over Iran. He initially rejected an American request to use British bases for strikes on Iran, saying he needed confirmation that any military action was legal.
However, Starmer changed his stance after Iran conducted strikes on British allies across the Middle East, allowing America to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean.
It was gathered that President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer since the conflict started, complaining he was not doing enough to help America.
On Monday, Trump said there were “some countries that greatly disappointed me” before he singled out Britain, which he said had once been considered “the Rolls-Royce of allies.”
Meanwhile, the British spokesperson’s statement on Friday called for “urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”
The authorisation now expands Britain’s involvement in the Middle East conflict beyond defensive operations. The UK previously limited its participation to intercepting Iranian missiles and drones threatening British military assets and allies in the region.
In response to what Iran tagged “agression “ it has effectively halted oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a global energy crisis as the waterway serves as the route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week with casualties mounting on both sides.