Iran’s state media and several foreign governments reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, died at the age of 86 following a major military strike attributed to Israeli forces in coordination with the United States.

Iranian state television announced a 40-day national mourning period. Independent verification of the circumstances surrounding his death has been limited.

Earlier, American President Donald Trump had posted on social media that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead, before any formal confirmation was issued by Iranian state television.

Khamenei presided over Iran’s theocratic political system, established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in which ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Leader – an unelected clerical position that oversees the armed forces, judiciary and key state institutions. While Iran holds presidential and parliamentary elections, the clerical leadership retains final decision-making power over major domestic and foreign policy matters.

Iran has faced repeated waves of nationwide protests in recent years. In 2022, demonstrations erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody, spreading into broader calls for political change. United Nations investigators and human rights organisations documented unlawful killings, mass detentions and other violations during the crackdown.

Since late 2025, further protests driven by economic hardship and political grievances have been reported across the country. Iranian officials acknowledged that several thousand people were killed during the unrest, while rights groups and some local sources have estimated the death toll to be in the thousands, possibly exceeding 5,000. Precise figures remain difficult to independently confirm due to media restrictions and communications blackouts.

At the time of his reported death, Khamenei remained the central authority in a system where unelected clerical leadership, supported by institutions including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, holds decisive control over Iran’s political and security structures.

Support our Journalism

No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.