Iran has dismissed reports that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli military strikes.
Senior Israeli officials claimed signs point to the assassination of the Iranian Supreme Leader after the 86-year-old leader’s compound was attacked by US and Israeli forces in Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, respectively.
In an interview with NBC NewsIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said everything was under control, adding that Israel and the Americans had failed to achieve their objectives.
He said: “Almost all the officials are safe and alive,” adding: “We may have lost one or two commanders, but that is not a big problem.”
When asked specifically about Iranian President Mesoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Foreign Minister said: “As far as I know, yes, they are alive. All high-ranking officials are alive.”
The 64-year-old diplomat and politician called the attack “illegitimate, unprovoked, absolutely illegal and contrary to international law.”
The denial comes after a report from axioswhich quoted a senior Israeli official as claiming that Khamenei had been killed in the attacks between the United States and Israel.
Israeli intelligence sources told the outlet that the Supreme Leader’s body had been recovered from the destroyed compound.
