Monday, July 20, 2026

‘There are many signs Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead,’ Netanyahu says

The Israeli prime minister said Israel, in collaboration with the U.S., coordinated the bombing of Iran on Saturday.

• February 28, 2026
Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Credit: CNN)
Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Credit: CNN)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that “there are many signs” that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a barrage of airstrikes targeted at his residence earlier on Saturday.

“There are many signs that Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is no longer alive,” Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement.

The Israeli prime minister said Israel, in collaboration with the U.S., coordinated the bombing of Iran on Saturday.

Though Mr Khamenei’s death has not been officially confirmed, his whereabouts are unknown. However, if confirmed, this would end his reign of over three decades in Iran.

Earlier, local media announced Mr Khamenei, 86, would speak in a live broadcast. But hours later, the supreme leader has yet to make a public appearance that could prove he is alive.

So far, two top Iranian government officials, Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour, have been reported dead in Saturday’s airstrikes coordinated by the U.S. and Israel.

Details of how many top Iranian officials have been killed in the joint strike carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces on Saturday are still unknown.

In retaliation, Iran launched several missiles at countries in the Middle East, where there are U.S. bases.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

STASH OF DOLLARS

Anti-Corruption

Rockland Congruity to pay about $3 million over PPP loan fraud

As part of the settlement, Rockland admitted that in March 2021, it received a $1,709,099 second-draw PPP loan.

NationWide

NOA urges vigilance against Ebola threat

Ijeoma Ulasi, the deputy director and Health and Social Care Desk Officer of NOA in Enugu, made the call during a sensitisation programme on the disease in Enugu recently.

Politics

Tinubu to rehabilitate Third Mainland Bridge, replace Carter Bridge: Umahi

President Bola Tinubu’s government says its four legacy highway projects are progressing steadily, alongside the approval of new road contracts.

Nigerian women

Abuja

Tinubu govt to revive women’s political empowerment centres

The government unveiled plans to revive Women Political Empowerment Centres across the six geopolitical zones to boost women’s participation in politics.

malnourished children

NationWide

Tinubu govt mobilises N8 billion for child nutrition

The federal government has mobilised over N7.6 billion for child nutrition, enabling essential micronutrients to reach millions of women and children.

Africa

Egypt reaffirms partnership with Nigeria on African solutions

Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigeria to advance African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges and promote shared development objectives.