The confirmation came hours after large-scale airstrikes by the United States and Israel hit key military and leadership-linked locations inside Iran. Authorities announced a 40-day national mourning period, while security forces were placed on maximum alert nationwide.
Officials said the strikes were part of a coordinated campaign targeting Iran’s senior command structure. Israeli leaders stated that compounds linked to the supreme leader had been destroyed, while U.S. President Donald Trump said the operation aimed to eliminate what he called “imminent threats” posed by Tehran.
Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and unprovoked and responded with missile and drone launches toward Israel and regional targets, including areas hosting U.S. forces. Air raid sirens sounded across Israeli cities as emergency services treated multiple civilian injuries.
Ali Khamenei ruled Iran since 1989 and held ultimate authority over the military, judiciary and media. His death leaves a historic power vacuum, with Iran’s Assembly of Experts expected to begin the process of selecting a successor amid extreme internal and external pressure.
Witnesses in several Iranian cities reported mixed reactions, with some residents expressing fear and panic, while others gathered in public spaces as news spread. Airports across the region suspended flights, and global markets braced for volatility, particularly in oil prices due to fears surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
World leaders urged restraint, warning that further escalation could ignite a broader regional war. The coming days are expected to determine whether the crisis moves toward diplomacy or deeper conflict.
