Shiite Muslim supporter of the Imamia Student Organization (ISO) holds a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest against Israel and the U.S. strikes on Iran, in Karachi, Pakistan Feb.28, 2026. (Credit: Akhtar Soomro/ Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that there were many signs suggesting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes in Iran.
"This morning we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei," Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding that for more than 30 years Khamenei had "dispatched terrorism across the world, made his own people miserable, and worked constantly and tirelessly on a program to annihilate the state of Israel."
"There are many signs that this tyrant is no longer. This morning we eliminated senior officials in the ayatollahs' regime, Revolutionary Guards commanders, senior figures in the nuclear program – and we will continue. In the next few days, we will hit thousands more targets of the terror regime," Netanyahu said.
Witnesses said on Saturday that loud cheers echoed across parts of Tehran and residents took to their windows to applaud and play celebratory music after reports of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death.
The celebrations began shortly after 11 pm (1930 GMT), according to multiple witnesses and audio recordings.
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles