Reports from multiple sources indicate that Israeli officials believe that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has died, likely as a result of airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that significant signs suggest Khamenei, described by him as a tyrant, is no longer alive. Khamenei has been a central figure in Iranian politics for over three decades, notorious for his role in spreading terrorism and attempting to destroy Israel.

Axios reported that Israel's ambassador to the US communicated to American officials that Khamenei was confirmed dead following an air raid, while the Jerusalem Post mentioned that reports of Khamenei's body being found among the debris reached Netanyahu. However, official confirmation from the Iranian government is still pending, and it was also noted that attempts to target Khamenei's family members were made but they reportedly survived.

If Khamenei's death is confirmed, it could severely impact the Iranian regime and potentially accelerate scenarios of regime collapse that the US and Israel have publicly speculated about. Israeli intelligence suggests that in addition to Khamenei, several key military and political leaders within Iran's power structure have also been killed, leading to fears of a breakdown in the command hierarchy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other leadership bodies, given that under Iranian law, a new supreme leader must be elected by the Assembly of Experts, which may now face challenges due to the loss of high-ranking officials. Netanyahu has indicated that further military operations targeting additional objectives are anticipated within the coming days.