Celebrations were heard across Tehran on Saturday night after reports of the presumed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Videos shared on social media captured residents clapping, whistling and cheering in parts of the capital. Khamenei, 86, had ruled Iran since 1989. An Israeli broadcaster reported that Benjamin Netanyahu had been shown a photograph of his body.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, with President Donald Trump describing the assault as a “massive operation” aimed at crippling Tehran’s military capabilities and removing what he called the threat of a nuclear weapon. Explosions were reported in Tehran, including near the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Israel said it had targeted missile sites and facilities linked to the regime. Iran’s Foreign Ministry vowed to defend the country, while the Revolutionary Guard confirmed it had launched drones and missiles at Israel and at US military installations across the Gulf. Iranian state media said at least 201 people were killed and more than 700 injured as exchanges of fire continued into the night.