Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the possibility that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei may have died in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
According to Reuters and the Times of Israel on Feb. 28 local time, Netanyahu said in a video address that afternoon, "We destroyed Khamenei's residence and killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and senior nuclear officials," and stated accordingly.
Netanyahu claimed, "There are multiple signs that Khamenei is no longer," and emphasized, "The help you desperately wished for has arrived."
Israel's N12 television, citing a senior official, flatly reported that "Khamenei has been eliminated," and Reuters also reported, citing senior Israeli officials, that Khamenei's body had been found.
N12 reported that the Israeli military dropped about 30 bombs on Khamenei's residence and that Khamenei was believed to have been underground at the time. It also said that Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump saw photos of Khamenei's body recovered at the scene.
Iran moved to deny the reports of his death. According to state-run IRNA, Mehrdad Seyyed Mehdi, the head of public relations at the Supreme Leader's office, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Beware that the United States and the Zionist enemy (Israel), which suffered great damage from our soldiers' powerful strikes, are waging psychological warfare."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, asked by U.S. broadcaster NBC about Khamenei's status, had said, "As far as I know, yes, he is alive."
Earlier, multiple outlets reported that senior Iranian figures, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour, appeared to have been killed. Israeli outlet Walla, citing officials, reported that "Khamenei is out of contact."
Addressing Iranian citizens, Netanyahu said, "Do not miss the opportunity," and emphasized, "The moment will come when you must pour into the streets and complete the task of toppling the regime of terror that has tormented your lives."
Netanyahu said the military operation "will continue as long as necessary, and patience is required." He also praised President Trump, who decided on the strike against Iran, as "a leader who keeps his promises."