At least 133 civilians have been killed in Iran following joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to the U.S.-based human rights news agency HRANA.
HRANA reported that more than 200 people were injured and that eight military officials were among those killed. The figures were cited by CNN, which added that the total number of casualties could increase as further information becomes available.
However, Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV reported higher figures, stating that 201 people were killed and 747 injured. The discrepancy between independent and state media reports has made it difficult to confirm the exact toll.
The strikes were reported across 24 provinces in Iran. U.S. and Israeli officials said the operation targeted senior officials and military infrastructure, maintaining that the focus was on strategic and security-related sites.
Trump Claims Khamenei Killed in Operation
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil individuals in history” and said his death represented justice.
Trump also stated that other senior Iranian officials were killed in the operation. Israeli sources were cited as reaching a similar conclusion regarding the deaths of high-ranking Iranian figures. There has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities supporting those claims.
Iran Denies Leadership Deaths as Regional Tensions Rise
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian remain safe. He rejected reports of their deaths. In a video message released after the strikes, President Trump urged the Iranian public to take control of the country’s leadership, calling the moment appropriate for change.
The strikes and the conflicting claims regarding casualties and leadership deaths have heightened tensions in the region. Independent verification of the reported figures and developments remains pending as international observers continue to monitor the situation.
