Photo of Khamenei [Reuters Yonhap News]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on the 28th (local time) that Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, might have been killed in airstrikes by the United States and Israel.

Israeli broadcaster N12, citing a senior official, reported definitively that "Khamenei has been eliminated," and Reuters also reported, citing a senior Israeli source, that Khamenei's body had been found.

According to Reuters, the daily Times of Israel, and others, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in a video address that afternoon, "We have destroyed Khamenei's residences and killed Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials. We will attack thousands more targets."

Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed, "There are many signs that Khamenei is no longer here," and emphasized, "The help you have desperately wished for has arrived."

Reuters reported, citing a senior Israeli source, that "Khamenei, who made Iran a powerful anti-American force and expanded its military influence in the Middle East but caused repeated internal instability, has died in Israeli and American attacks."

N12 reported that the Israeli military dropped about 30 bombs on Khamenei's residence, and Khamenei was reportedly underground at the time. It also reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump saw photos of Khamenei's body recovered from the scene.

Iran has denied reports of his death.

According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Merdad Seyed Mehdi, the head of public relations for the Supreme Leader's office, posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Be wary of the psychological warfare being waged by the United States and the Zionist enemy (Israel), who have suffered heavy losses from the powerful attacks of our soldiers."

Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency also reported, citing sources, that "Khamenei is confidently commanding the battlefield situation."

However, while U.S. broadcaster ABC reported earlier that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei claimed in an interview that Khamenei was "safe," a live interview broadcast later by the British BBC showed Spokesperson Baghaei avoiding a direct answer, stating he was "not in a position to confirm that matter."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously told U.S. broadcaster NBC, regarding questions about Khamenei's life or death, "As far as I know, yes, he is alive."

Earlier, various media outlets reported that senior Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Mohammad Pakpour, appeared to have been killed. Israeli media outlet Walla reported, citing officials, that "Khamenei is out of contact."

Iranian media Jamaran also cited a Tehran city council member as stating that Khamenei's son-in-law and daughter-in-law had died.

Prime Minister Netanyahu urged Iranian citizens, "Do not miss the opportunity. The time will come when you will pour into the streets and complete the task of overthrowing the regime of terror that has plagued your lives."

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the current military operation "will continue as long as necessary, and patience is required." He also praised President Trump, who decided on the Iranian attack, as a "leader who keeps his promises."

In a separate statement, the Israeli military announced that it had launched the 'Roaring Lion' operation that day, deploying approximately 200 fighter jets to successfully attack about 500 targets in western and central Iran, including missile bases and air defense systems.