Iranian leader’s daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter killed in US-Israel strikes

Iranian media on Sunday reported that several close relatives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were killed during coordinated military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. According to the reports, his daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law died in the attacks, which targeted key sites linked to Iran’s leadership.

State outlets also announced that the 86-year-old Supreme Leader himself was killed in the same operation. The announcement followed a statement by US President Donald Trump, who earlier declared that Khamenei had been eliminated in the strikes launched on Saturday.

Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, reportedly had six children, including three daughters. It was not immediately clear which of his daughters was among those killed in the bombardment.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump had described Khamenei as ‘one of the most evil people in history’ and said his death represented justice not only for Iranians but also for Americans and others around the world who, he claimed, had suffered because of the Iranian leader’s actions. He added that neither Khamenei nor other officials killed in the operation had any ability to prevent the outcome.

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Trump further described the military campaign as a decisive moment for Iran’s citizens, calling it the ‘single greatest chance’ for them to reclaim their country. He said the United States would continue what he called ‘heavy and pinpoint bombing’ throughout the week, or for as long as necessary, in pursuit of what he termed peace across the Middle East and globally.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested that Khamenei was no longer alive, saying there were ‘many signs’ pointing to his death. In a video statement, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had destroyed the compound associated with Khamenei and eliminated senior figures within Iran’s ruling establishment.

He accused Khamenei of exporting terrorism for more than three decades, oppressing his own people, and pursuing a programme aimed at destroying Israel. Netanyahu said that senior regime officials, commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and key figures involved in Iran’s nuclear programme had been killed. He warned that thousands more targets linked to what he called the “terror regime” would be struck in the coming days.

Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian public directly, urging them to overthrow the ruling establishment and secure their future.

Iran’s state television confirmed Khamenei’s death. However, two Iranian news agencies — Tasnim News Agency and Mehr News Agency — reported that Khamenei remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” creating some uncertainty over his status.

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The Israeli military said other senior figures were killed in the operation, including Ali Shamkhani, described as a top adviser to Khamenei, and General Mohammad Pakpour, head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards.

The joint US-Israeli campaign began earlier on Saturday, with smoke seen rising over Tehran following multiple strikes. Shortly afterward, Trump announced the start of what he called “major combat operations” aimed at eliminating imminent threats.

Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and unprovoked. In response, Tehran launched missile strikes targeting Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host American military bases, widening the scope of the confrontation and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.