Iran’s state TV confirms Khamenei’s death

This image grab taken from footage broadcast by Iran's IRIB news state television on 26 June 2025, shows Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressing the nation in front of a portrait of his predecessor, the late founder of the Islamic republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.AFP

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.