Cheers and celebrations heard in parts of Tehran after reports of Khamenei’s death
Witnesses said loud cheers rang out across parts of Tehran as residents stepped onto balconies and opened windows to applaud and play celebratory music
Cheers and celebrations were heard in parts of Tehran on Saturday night (Iran standard time) following reports that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, reports CNN.
In a video obtained by CNN from an eyewitness in Tehran, the voices of two women can be heard chanting "Death to the Islamic Republic" and "Long Live the Shah" in Farsi, before cheers and whistles erupt.
In another similar video, cheers are heard echoing across a residential neighbourhood in the city. Witnesses said loud cheers rang out across parts of Tehran as residents stepped onto balconies and opened windows to applaud and play celebratory music after reports of Khamenei's death, reports AFP.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Israel has confirmed that Iran's supreme leader was killed in strikes on Saturday, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter, reports CNN.
Earlier, however, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Iran's president and supreme leader are "safe and sound."
US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials also claimed that Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, while Iranian news agencies reported that the country's supreme leader remains alive and is continuing to lead.
At 3:37am (Bangladesh time) on Sunday, the US president, in his Truth Social, wrote, "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead."
At 1:38am, Reuters reported that a senior Israeli official told it that Khamenei is dead and his body has been found.
However, Iranian state media IRNA soon cited a source close to Khamenei's office as saying: "I can tell you with confidence that the leader of the revolution is steadfast and firm in commanding the field."
Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr also reported the same, while Iran Times, citing sources, said Khamenei was "completely safe and sound".
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has ruled Iran since 1989. As Supreme Leader, he holds ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military and the judiciary in the Shia Islamic Republic.
Saturday's strikes on Iran targeted 24 provinces, killing at least 201 people, according to Iranian media reports, citing the Red Crescent.
Iran responded with a wave of counterattacks, targeting Israel and US military assets across the Middle East.
