Senior Israeli security officials revealed Saturday evening their strong belief that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been successfully eliminated during coordinated military operations.
Speaking to Channel 12, a high-ranking Israeli official stated there is a “very likely” chance that Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Security agencies are currently waiting for official confirmation, though intelligence reports from operational areas are being characterized as “excellent.”
“We’d fall off our chairs if Khamenei suddenly appeared and made a live statement. The grounded assessment is that he is no longer with us,” the official stated.
A second Israeli security source commented, “Khamenei was surrounded by foolish people who didn’t understand they were playing with fire. That game is over.”
The strikes targeted Khamenei’s workplace and personal residence earlier Saturday, along with additional critical government installations, including the presidential headquarters. Social media reports and video footage indicate several structures sustained major damage or were completely destroyed.
The targeted complex sits within a heavily secured zone containing multiple regime institutions, such as the chief justice’s headquarters and primary offices of the Guardian Council, Assembly of Experts, and Supreme National Security Council Secretariat.
Intelligence reports suggested Khamenei had been relocated from the site days prior to the attack. Additional sources indicated his secure location was moved again just before Saturday’s anticipated strike.
These reports about the 86-year-old Iranian leader’s potential death come during the peak of joint US-Israeli military operations that commenced Saturday morning. Israeli political sources identify the mission as Operation Lion’s Roar, designed to completely disable the Revolutionary Guards’ and Iranian government’s command structure.
Military analysts believe Israeli and American warplanes delivered devastating strikes against Tehran’s security and political leadership while causing significant casualties among nuclear program personnel and intelligence operatives.
Iran International news outlet reports that casualties include Ali Shamkhani, an experienced Iranian security official who served as Defense Council secretary and ranked among Khamenei’s top advisers.
