Khamenei is alive 'as far as I know', says minister amid reports of his killing
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive “as far as I know”, amid speculation about their fate following the US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on Saturday.
Speaking to NBC, Aragchi said that the situation was “under control” and that almost all high-ranking officials were safe, apart from a few commanders.
His remarks come as Israeli media reported growing assessment within the military that Khamenei may have been killed in the strikes.
Nearly all senior leaders were targeted, Israeli media said, although Iranian outlets have downplayed some of these claims.
Channel 12 reported, citing anonymous Israeli sources, that the government's assessment is that the supreme leader has been killed. It quoted the sources as saying there are “growing indications” to this effect. The Israeli government, however, has not confirmed the report.
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The news outlet also reported that Khamenei was expected to deliver a pre-recorded address today.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Kan state TV said “there is no contact” with Khamenei and that his fate remains unknown.
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency confirmed that areas near the presidential palace and Khamenei’s compound were struck. However, an official told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been moved to a secure location.
Iranian state media reported that Pezeshkian was unharmed, along with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Amir Hatami and Judiciary Chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei.
According to Article 111 of the Iranian constitution, in the event of Khamenei’s death, a three-member council comprising the president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council would temporarily assume his duties until a new supreme leader is appointed.
Israeli media additionally claimed that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, was among those targeted.
Meanwhile, in an unconfirmed report, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters that several senior commanders in the IRGC and political officials had been killed.
Middle East Eye could not independently verify these reports.
Iran retaliates
During Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in June last year, several top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists were assassinated.
On Saturday, Israel and the US launched another major attack on Iran after weeks of threats.
Trump posted an eight-minute speech on Truth Social, stating that “major combat operations in Iran” had begun.
He said that Iran had attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop long-range missiles that “can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland”.
“For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” he added.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Iranian people "to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran".
"Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he added.
Later on Saturday, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Israel as well as various Gulf states.
Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, where US bases have been targeted.
It is unclear how many Iranians have been killed so far. However, a strike on a school in southern Iran has reportedly killed at least 50 girls, believed to be aged between seven and 12.
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