‘If US Kills Me...’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Chilling ‘Last Address’ To Iran Explained

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 16:02 IST

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's most widely cited “last speech” is reported to have happened on February 17

Amid reports of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several of his recent public addresses have gained significant attention.

The most widely cited “last speech" is reported to have happened on February 17, during a meeting with people from the East Azerbaijan Province to mark the anniversary of the 1978 Tabriz uprising.

In a video sourced from Reuters, Khamenei is heard talking about the US. News18 has not independently verified the time and date stamp.

US is in decline, more than 50% of their country does not approve of their President: Khamenei

Khamenei is seen describing the U.S. as an “empire heading towards a collapse", citing economic, political, and social problems. He claimed more than 50 per cent of the U.S. population disapproved of President Donald Trump.

“I will also say a few words about the U.S. — it’s a system that truly is in decline, an empire heading toward collapse. They have problems in their economy, problems with their policies, and problems in their society. More than 50 % of the U.S. population doesn’t approve of their current president," said Khamenei.

Iranian weapons can sink American warship: Khamenei

“We must have deterrent weapons, if a country does not have deterrent weapons, it will be crushed under the feet of its enemies. The Americans are interfering in this matter without any reason… “You may have such and such missile. You may have such range and no more." What does it have to do with you? It concerns the Iranian nation," he said.

“The US President keeps saying that their army is the strongest in the world. The strongest Army in the world may sometimes get slapped so hard that it cannot stand up straight."

He stated that Iran possessed weapons capable of “sinking an American warship" and warned that any U.S. military intervention would result in a “regional war" with “irreparable consequences".

‘If they kill me’: Khamenei warns of consequences

In an emotional address amid reports of threats against him, he reportedly said, “My body holds little value… even if they kill me, do not count it as our loss as long as you remain steadfast on the principles of Imam Hussain".

Following large rallies on February 11, he thanked the nation for their “magnificent" presence, asserting that such solidarity frustrated the “hopes of the enemies"

In other remarks after the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025, Khamenei claimed Iran had “nearly crushed" Israel and mocked American involvement, warning the U.S. that any future attack would come “at great cost".

Khamenei killed on February 28

Khamenei was killed on 28 February 2026 during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel. He was killed in a precision airstrike targeting his official compound in Tehran. The operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury," involved high-level cooperation between the CIA and Israeli intelligence.

Alongside the 86-year-old Supreme Leader, several family members (including his daughter and grandchild) and approximately 30 to 40 other senior Iranian officials were reportedly killed.

While initially denied by Iranian officials, his death was later confirmed by Iranian state media (IRIB) on the morning of 1 March 2026. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the success of the strike.

With Agency Inputs

News explainers ‘If US Kills Me...’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Chilling ‘Last Address’ To Iran Explained

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