In separate interviews broadcast Saturday on NBC News and ABC News, Trump indicated confidence in Israeli intelligence assessments but stopped short of formal confirmation. "We feel that that is a correct story,” Trump said, referring to reports of Khamenei’s death. Speaking to ABC correspondent Rachel Scott, he added: "I don't want to say anything definitively until I see things but we believe he is. And much of their leaders are gone.”

Israel earlier announced that Khamenei had been killed in precision strikes targeting senior leadership compounds in Tehran. A senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of intelligence matters, said the Supreme Leader’s body had been located. However, no visual or forensic evidence has been publicly released.

Iranian state media rejected the claim, citing a source close to Khamenei’s office who stated that the Supreme Leader "is steadfast and firm in commanding the field.” As of publication, the competing accounts could not be independently verified due to restricted communications and ongoing military operations inside Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were "many signs” Khamenei "is no longer alive,” and confirmed that his compound and several senior Revolutionary Guard commanders were struck. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Ali Shamkhani, a senior nuclear adviser, was also killed in the initial wave of attacks.

Tehran condemned the strikes as illegal aggression and launched retaliatory missile attacks targeting Israeli positions and regional sites hosting U.S. forces. Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, prompting panic among residents.