Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, the wife of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died from injuries sustained during the same military operation that claimed her husband’s life, according to Iranian state media.
The Tasnim news agency reported that Bagherzadeh succumbed to wounds inflicted during the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes conducted in the early hours of Saturday. The targeted attack struck the Supreme Leader’s office while he was reportedly performing official duties at his workplace.
Born in 1947 into a prominent merchant family, Bagherzadeh married Khamenei in 1964. Her father, Mohammad Esmail Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, was a well-known businessman. Throughout her life, she remained a private figure, intentionally staying away from the political spotlight and formal public roles that often accompany the spouses of world leaders.
Despite her low profile, she was recognized as a pillar of support for her husband during the decades of political upheaval that preceded the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including periods when Khamenei was imprisoned under the Shah’s government. Her life was characterized by a quiet presence, largely unfolding away from the cameras and public speeches.
The strikes on Saturday morning, which Tehran has condemned as a cowardly act, resulted in the deaths of both the Supreme Leader and now his spouse, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.
Iranian authorities have yet to announce formal funeral arrangements as the nation grapples with the fallout of the high-profile assassinations. The incident has drawn widespread international attention, with various nations expressing concern over the potential for further instability in the Middle East.
