Netanyahu Claims Khamenei Dead, Iran Foreign Minister Denies

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu issued a fresh statement following Israel’s attack on Iranian territory, claiming that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in the assault.

“This morning, in a devastating surprise strike, the residence complex of dictator Ali Khamenei was destroyed in the heart of Tehran,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement, reported by AFP on Sunday, 1 March 2026.

Israeli and American forces reportedly dropped 30 bombs on Khamenei’s residence complex. Netanyahu stated that numerous indicators suggest Khamenei has been killed.

“For more than three and a half decades, this cruel dictator has spread terror throughout the world whilst oppressing his own people, whilst working tirelessly and relentlessly on plans to destroy Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“That plan no longer exists – and there are many indications that this dictator is no longer alive,” he added.

Two Israeli television networks reported that Khamenei was killed in the joint US-Israeli strike against Iran, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.

According to Reuters, reports of Khamenei’s death had circulated amongst Israeli military circles. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei was killed in the Israeli and American strike on Saturday, 28 February.

In an interview with NBC News, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Khamenei remains alive. He insisted that Israel cannot change Iran’s regime.

“You cannot change a regime whilst millions of people support the so-called regime,” Araghchi said in an interview from the capital, Tehran.

He stated that “as far as I know,” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains alive, although the whereabouts of the 86-year-old man have been unknown since Israel targeted the country’s political leaders.