Iran Declares National Mourning After Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed In US-Israeli Strike Targeting Tehran Leadership

Iranian state media confirmed today (1 March) that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at his office in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, with authorities declaring a 40-day mourning period for the 86-year-old leader who had ruled the Islamic Republic since 1989.

State television described Khamenei as being at his compound in downtown Tehran when the initial attack began, saying his death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people at the forefront of his responsibilities.

The confirmation came after President Donald Trump announced Khamenei's death on Saturday and Iranian state television confirmed it hours later.

Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his Tehran compound, part of a major joint US-Israeli military operation targeting Iranian leadership and military installations.

Israel's military said top Iranian security officials were among those killed, including the country's defence minister, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council.

US President Trump described Khamenei as one of the most evil people in history, stating the operation would continue uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve peace throughout the Middle East. Saturday's strikes targeted 24 provinces across Iran, killing at least 201 people, while Iran's counterattacks triggered air-defence interceptions in several countries hosting US airbases, including Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain.

Khamenei's killing sets off an immediate succession crisis, with Iran's constitution requiring an interim council to assume power whilst the Assembly of Experts selects a new supreme leader.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's supreme national security council and one of Khamenei's closest confidants, has emerged as the most senior civilian official still standing.

Khamenei had been Iran's supreme leader since 1989, succeeding the founder of post-revolution Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

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