Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, may no longer be alive following a joint military strike carried out by Israel and the United States on his compound.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Netanyahu said there were “indications” that Khamenei was “no longer alive,” though he did not present concrete evidence to support the assertion. He also called on Iranian citizens to take to the streets, urging them to “flood the streets and finish the job.”
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that 30 bombs were dropped on the Supreme Leader’s compound during the coordinated assault.
According to Channel 12 correspondent Amit Segal, the strike specifically targeted the complex believed to house Khamenei. Segal, who is widely regarded as being close to Netanyahu, stated during the broadcast that although Khamenei was reportedly underground at the time, he may not have been inside his personal bunker. He did not cite an official source for the claim.
There has been no independent verification of the reports, and Iranian authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding Khamenei’s status or whereabouts.