Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is presumed dead after U.S.-Israeli strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed 'growing signs' Khamenei is 'gone'
Celebrations reported in Tehran but Iranian authorities haven't confirmed the death
Uncertainty surrounds succession of the 86-year-old leader who ruled Iran since 1989
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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is presumed dead after a massive U.S. and Israeli military operation Saturday, according to multiple Israeli official sources confirmed to CBS News, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier stating there were 'growing signs' that Khamenei is 'gone' following the mission. The reported death has triggered celebrations in Tehran, where CBS News producer on the ground described people cheering in the streets. However, Iranian state media and the Foreign Ministry have not officially confirmed Khamenei's death, creating a significant information vacuum. The 86-year-old leader had been Iran's supreme leader since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran's 1979 revolution. Khamenei held ultimate authority over all branches of government and the military, serving as the country's spiritual leader for nearly four decades. The potential death of Khamenei creates significant uncertainty about the future of Iran's leadership structure, raising questions about succession and potential power struggles within the Iranian leadership as the reported military strike represents a significant escalation in the long-standing geopolitical standoff between Iran and both the U.S. and Israel.
🏷️ Themes
Leadership transition, Geopolitical conflict, Military operations
Ali Hosseini Khamenei (born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and politician who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. His tenure as supreme leader, spanning 36 years, makes him the longest-serving head of...
# Iran
**Iran**, officially the **Islamic Republic of Iran** and historically known as **Persia**, is a sovereign country situated in West Asia. It is a major regional power, ranking as the 17th-largest country in the world by both land area and population. Combining a rich historical legacy with a...
Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is also the capital of Tehran province and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District. With a population of around 9 million in the city, and 16.8 million in the metropolitan area, Tehran is the most populous city in Iran a...
World Iran's Supreme Leader presumed dead after U.S.-Israel strikes, sources say By Margaret Brennan Margaret Brennan Moderator, "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan;" Chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan is moderator of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on CBS. Based in Washington, D.C., Brennan is also the Network's chief foreign affairs correspondent and a contributing correspondent to 60 Minutes. Additionally, she appears regularly on the "CBS Evening News," leading coverage from Washington when news breaks on the political and foreign affairs fronts. Read Full Bio Margaret Brennan February 28, 2026 / 3:26 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is presumed dead after a massive U.S. and Israeli military operation Saturday, multiple Israeli official sources told CBS News. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Saturday that there are "growing signs" that Khamenei is "gone" after the mission. People are cheering in the streets of Tehran, according to a CBS News producer in Tehran. But the state media in Tehran has not confirmed Khamenei's death, and neither has the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Khamenei, 86, had been Iran's supreme leader since 1989, succeeding the leader of Iran's 1979 revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei controlled all branches of the government and the military, and was considered the spiritual leader. It's unclear who will succeed him. This is breaking news and will be updated. The Standoff with Iran More Map shows military strike locations across Iran
