Abbas Aragchi confirms Ali Khamenei alive after Israeli media speculation over airstrikes

Iranian authorities have dismissed reports from Israeli media outlets suggesting that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have been killed during early Saturday military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States.

The speculation began after Channel 12 cited anonymous sources claiming that the 86-year-old leader could have been among those targeted and possibly killed in the coordinated attacks. Other Israeli media platforms echoed similar claims, while noting that no official confirmation had been issued at the time.

Responding to the reports, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, told NBC News that, to the best of his knowledge, Ayatollah Khamenei remained alive.

The strikes, reportedly launched in the early hours of Saturday, were said to have targeted multiple sites associated with Iran’s political and military leadership.

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According to initial reports, some of the bombardments occurred near offices linked to Khamenei. However, sources indicated that the Supreme Leader had been relocated to a secure and undisclosed location prior to the attacks.

Israeli media also alleged that the operation targeted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, though these claims were similarly based on unnamed sources and lacked independent verification.

As of the time of reporting, Iranian officials have not announced any casualties among top government figures, and there has been no confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the specific outcomes of the strikes.

The situation remains fluid, with heightened regional tensions following the reported joint military action by Israel and the United States against Iranian-linked targets.