Iran TV anchors break down on live broadcast after reports of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death

motional scenes on Iranian television as anchors announce Supreme Leader’s killing

Videos circulating widely on social media showed an emotional moment on Iranian television, where news anchors appeared overwhelmed while delivering breaking news about the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The visuals captured anchors struggling to maintain composure as the announcement was read out live on air.

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In one viral clip, a visibly shaken newsreader repeatedly uttered “God is great” before informing viewers that Khamenei had been “martyred” in what was described as a joint attack by the United States and Israel. As the anchor faltered, sobs could be heard from others inside the studio, underscoring the gravity of the moment being broadcast to the nation.

An Iranian news anchor broke down in tears on live television while reading the news of Ali Khamenei’s death. pic.twitter.com/5v7WpTBYr4

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 1, 2026

Iranian state media confirms the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announces 40 days of mourning, 7 days of public holiday pic.twitter.com/eiV5a9Qo7Y — Nicole Grajewski (@NicoleGrajewski) March 1, 2026

Iranian officials were quoted in reports as saying that the country would observe 40 days of mourning for the 86-year-old leader. According to state-linked media, Khamenei was killed at his compound along with members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law and grandson.

State television claimed that Khamenei died in the early hours of Saturday at his office, portraying his death as symbolic of a leader who remained “at the forefront of his responsibilities” and stood against what it described as “global arrogance”.

Meanwhile, international media outlets carried parallel accounts. The Times of Israel, citing an Israeli official, reported that Khamenei had been killed in an Israeli strike on his compound and that his body had been located. Israel’s Channel 12 later reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been shown images purportedly confirming the recovery of the body from Tehran.

Reacting to the reports, former US President Donald Trump posted on X that Khamenei’s death represented “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country”. The remarks followed claims that the reported killing came after a coordinated US-Israeli aerial operation targeting Iranian military and government facilities.