Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, according to state media. The confirmation came after Washington and Tel Aviv said he had died in a wave of joint attacks on Tehran.
“The Supreme Leader of Iran has reached martyrdom,” state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported on March 1.
As Iran begins 40 days of public mourning following the death of Khamenei, attention has turned to the family he kept largely out of the public eye throughout his rule.
While Khamenei dominated Iran's political and religious life for decades, details about his wife, children and grandchildren have remained limited.
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He is survived by his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, and their six children. Though some extended relatives are believed to reside abroad, including reports of nephews and grandsons living in Paris, his immediate family has remained based in Iran.
As per reports, Khamenei's wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, has rarely appeared in public and has maintained a low profile throughout her husband's leadership.
Her family, however, has held positions of influence. Her father, Mohammad Esmaeil Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, was a businessman in Mashhad. Her brother, Hassan, previously served as deputy director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the country's state broadcaster.
Khamenei's daughters, Boshra and Hoda, are married. He is also understood to have several grandchildren, though their identities have not been made public.
Despite his commanding public persona, Khamenei's domestic life was carefully shielded from scrutiny.
Confirmation Of His Death
Iran's state media confirmed Khamenei's death. Reports indicate that the 86-year-old leader was killed in his office in the early hours of Saturday, February 28. The Iranian government subsequently declared 40 days of public mourning.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to retaliate, promising to punish the “murderers” of Khamenei.
Last year, US President Donald Trump said Khamenei would be an “easy target” if the US decided to chase him.
According to Axios, the 86-year-old Khamenei had led Iran for 35 years, making him one of the world's longest-serving rulers. His death deals a significant blow to the regime and may intensify pressure on the leadership, as US and Israeli officials have previously stated their aim of weakening Iran's ruling establishment.
About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Khamenei became Iran's Supreme Leader in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the US-backed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
As Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exercised ultimate authority over the military, judiciary and major state institutions, while serving as Iran's highest religious authority.
Throughout his tenure, he maintained a deeply adversarial stance towards the West, repeatedly describing the US as Iran's “number one enemy,” with Israel close behind.
