Iranian state media announced early Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, according to reports from Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency. The 86-year-old leader’s death was not attributed to a specific cause, but it follows a joint U.S.-Israeli aerial bombardment that targeted Iranian military and governmental sites earlier in the week.

Escalation in Regional Tensions

The strike, which reportedly targeted Khamenei’s compound in Tehran, came amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the reports on social media, stating that Khamenei’s death is ‘the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.’

Trump described Khamenei as ‘one of the most evil people in history’ and claimed that he ‘was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.’

Israeli officials confirmed Khamenei’s death in an exclusive statement to The Associated Press, though the U.S. and Iran provided no immediate comment on the reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were ‘growing signs’ that Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early Saturday.

Regional Fallout and Civilian Impact

The attack on Iran has led to widespread retaliation, with Iran launching missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region. The strikes have caused damage to Dubai International Airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel, with four people injured at the airport.

Dubai’s media office reported that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage, which was quickly contained. A drone was intercepted, and debris caused a minor fire on the Burj Al Arab’s outer facade. The airport, one of the world’s busiest, remains a critical hub for Middle Eastern trade and tourism.

Air Canada announced the cancellation of all flights to Dubai until March 3 and to Israel until March 8 due to the military situation in the Middle East. Emirates suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 6 a.m. EST on Sunday, affecting its seven weekly flights to Toronto.

Political and Social Reactions

Within Canada, Iranian Canadians have expressed mixed reactions to the developments. Some, like filmmaker Ezra Soleh, welcomed the attack, saying the Iranian people have had enough of ‘a regime that has been massacring people, killing people by the thousands.’

Ardeshir Zarezadeh, a former Iranian political prisoner who fled to Canada, called the U.S.-Israel attack a ‘best-case scenario’ for both Iranians seeking an end to government repression and Western powers aiming to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

In Richmond Hill, Ont., thousands marched in a protest that took on new meaning after the overnight incursion. Some protesters raised beer bottles in celebration of unconfirmed reports of Khamenei’s death.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a joint statement supporting U.S. actions to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to stop its regime from threatening international peace and security. The statement also reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure the security of its people.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed support for the U.S., Israel, and allied countries to ‘defend their sovereignty and dismantle the clerical military dictatorship of Iran.’ In contrast, NDP foreign affairs critic Alexandre Boulerice condemned the bombings, warning they risk dragging the entire region into a major conflict.

Toronto police have increased their presence around consular offices and places of worship, citing the need for community safety and reassurance. York Regional Police also warned commuters of delays due to a large, pre-planned demonstration in Richmond Hill.

With Khamenei’s death, the future of Iran’s leadership remains uncertain. As the country’s second leader, Khamenei had no designated successor, and his absence could lead to political instability. The Arab League has warned that the Israeli-U.S. airstrikes on Iran mark a moment when the Arab-Israeli conflict has expanded into a full-scale regional conflict.