Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran has formally acknowledged the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following large-scale strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, triggering an unprecedented political and security crisis in the region. Authorities declared a 40-day period of national mourning as the country grapples with the fallout of the attack.
State media reported that Khamenei was killed during coordinated strikes that targeted key government and military sites in Tehran early Saturday morning. Officials said his body was recovered from the rubble of a heavily damaged compound linked to the leadership.
Senior figures in Iran described the incident as a defining moment in the nation’s history. The Supreme National Security Council issued a statement warning that the killing would not go unanswered, framing it as an act that would galvanize resistance against what it termed foreign aggression.
Israeli media outlets claimed that top US and Israeli leaders were informed of the operation’s outcome, though neither Washington nor Tel Aviv immediately provided detailed public confirmation regarding specific targets.
Reports emerging from Tehran also indicated that other high-ranking officials may have been killed in the strikes, including senior defence and Revolutionary Guard leaders. These accounts remain under review as authorities continue to assess the damage and casualties.
Security across major Iranian cities has been significantly tightened, with armed personnel deployed at key installations. Public gatherings were reported in several areas, where citizens expressed grief and anger following the announcement.
The development has sharply heightened tensions across West Asia, raising concerns of wider instability. Diplomatic channels are expected to intensify in the coming days as global powers monitor the situation and brace for potential retaliatory action from Tehran.
