Iran has commenced mourning, which will last for forty (40) days, for Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel, as made known by the Iranian state media.
Khamenei was killed in strikes by American and Israeli forces on Saturday alongside top Iranian security officials; also, Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson were not spared.
The killings mark one of the biggest defeats to the leadership of Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, has condemned the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader, describing the killing as “a great crime”, according to a statement from his office.
Pezeshkian also declared mourning for seven (7) days for Khamenei in addition to the forty (40) days mourning period.
Protests denouncing the killing of the Supreme Leader were reported in the Iranian Capital, Tehran, and in other areas like, Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran, Khamenei “secured Iran’s independence”, as well as, “opposed foreign domination”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said via a statement: “The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali #Khamenei, lived a pious life, loved #Iran, secured Iran’s independence, opposed foreign domination, and worked tirelessly for our country’s resilience and fortitude.
“His last phase of life—an honorable and dignified death as a martyr on the 10th day of Ramadan”
“He will remain a living nightmare for his killers forever.”
Al Jazeera reports:
The killing also led to protests in neighbouring Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning. In Baghdad, protesters confronted security forces
Khamenei emerged leader of Iran in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had led the Islamic revolution years earlier.
Photo: Mourners converge in the Iranian Capital, Tehran, following the killing of Supreme Leader, Khamenei, on Saturday by American and Israeli Forces | Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters
