Israel believes Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may have been killed in an Israeli strike earlier today, according to a report by Channel 12 citing unnamed Israeli sources.
The television channel said there are “growing indications" suggesting Khamenei was killed in the attack. However, there has been no official confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the claim.
Minutes before reporting that he was likely killed, Channel 12 had said Israel’s assessment was that Khamenei was “hurt at the very least." The report added that the evaluation was not based on satellite imagery showing his presidential compound being flattened, but rather on intelligence gathered from undisclosed sources.
Khamenei is reportedly expected to deliver an address shortly. The Channel 12 report suggested that if such a speech is aired, it may have been recorded in advance.
The broadcaster also said the strikes carried out today caused “very significant harm" to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders.
Separately, Israel’s Kan state television reported that “there is no contact" with Khamenei and that his condition remains unknown.
There has been no immediate comment from Iranian authorities on the reports.
