The United States government has formally denied any involvement in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, following a deadly strike carried out over the weekend.
Testifying before the United States Senate Armed Services Committee, senior Pentagon official Elbridge Colby told lawmakers that the operation that resulted in Khamenei’s death was conducted exclusively by Israel and was not part of any American military mission.
Colby’s remarks came in response to questions about whether Washington was pursuing regime change in Iran. He firmly rejected that suggestion, stating that the United States’ objectives in the region remain limited to countering Iran’s expanding missile programme, its weapons production capabilities, and elements of its naval power.
“Those are Israeli operations,” Colby said. “Our targets are Iran’s missile capabilities, their growing ability to build those weapons, and parts of their navy. These are doable and reasonable targets that can be achieved.”
His testimony appeared to contrast with earlier statements by President Donald Trump, who had previously indicated that Khamenei was within the reach of American intelligence assets and tracking systems. Trump also highlighted close operational coordination between the United States and Israel, suggesting sustained joint pressure on Iran’s leadership.
Despite those comments, Colby maintained that the strike that killed Khamenei and other senior Iranian figures was carried out solely by Israeli forces.
The attack reportedly claimed the lives of several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law.
The Israeli military further announced that Ali Shamkhani, described as a close adviser to the late Iranian leader, was killed in the operation. General Mohammad Pakpour, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, was also reported to have died in the same wave of strikes.
American officials disclosed that more than 49 high-ranking members of Iran’s military establishment have been eliminated since the campaign began, underscoring the scale and intensity of the ongoing operations.
