Iranian state television announced the death of Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, the 79-year-old wife of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following injuries sustained in the same U.S.-Israeli airstrike that reportedly killed Khamenei at his Tehran compound. She passed away two days after her husband. State media described her death as the realization of her “long dream of martyrdom” and predicted it would inspire a “massive uprising against oppressors.”
Bagherzadeh married Khamenei in 1965, and they had four sons and two daughters. In a 2011 interview, she said her primary role was to maintain a calm household so her husband could focus on his work. She also described discreetly supporting him during his revolutionary activities by delivering messages, hiding documents, and visiting him in prison while sharing only positive news. Iran declared a 40-day mourning period and a seven-day national holiday following the announcement of her husband’s death.
The news comes amid escalating regional tensions. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported at least 555 deaths across Iran, with more than 130 cities affected by attacks. Iranian officials claimed that the Natanz nuclear enrichment site was targeted, condemning the strikes as “unlawful, criminal, and brutal.” Senior Iranian security figures vowed not to negotiate with the United States, while multiple retaliatory attacks were reported across the region, including strikes near the American embassy in Kuwait City and drone attacks on oil infrastructure in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Kuwaiti air defenses accidentally shot down three U.S. F-15E jets; all six crew members ejected safely and were recovered. Casualties were also reported in Israel and Lebanon, and Iranian combat forces were reportedly involved in operations for the first time. Despite the hostilities, a senior White House official stated that Iran’s “new potential leadership” has shown willingness to engage in talks. President Donald Trump indicated he would speak with the new Iranian leaders, saying, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” though military operations were described as ongoing.
