Iran has begun 40 days of mourning after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint United States and Israeli air strikes on Tehran, state media confirmed on Sunday. The attack targeted his compound and senior military officials, marking the most serious assault on Iran’s leadership since 1979.
Iranian state television announced Khamenei’s death early on Sunday, hours after explosions struck central Tehran. Satellite images published by Reuters showed heavy damage and black smoke rising from the compound.
President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as “a great crime” in a statement released by his office. He declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period. Pezeshkian described the strike as an “open declaration of war against Muslims” and said Iran viewed revenge as its “duty and legitimate right”.
The Israeli government confirmed it had struck what it called “the heart of Tehran”. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army was carrying out “intensive strikes targeting sites belonging to the Iranian regime” and would continue operations in the capital.
US President Donald Trump said the operation aimed to remove what he described as an imminent threat. In a video address, he urged Iranians to “take over” their government and wrote on social media that bombing would continue “as long as necessary”. He warned Tehran against retaliation, saying the United States would respond with force “never been seen before”.
Iranian state media reported that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson were among those killed. The Islamic Republic News Agency confirmed the deaths of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdul Rahim Mousavi, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour. More names were expected to be released.
Iran’s constitution requires a temporary council to assume the duties of the supreme leader until the Assembly of Experts selects a successor. State media said the interim body consists of President Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and Guardian Council cleric Alireza Arafi. The council will oversee state affairs during the transition.
Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, accused Washington and Tel Aviv of seeking to plunder Iran. “Groups seeking to divide Iran should know that we will not tolerate it,” he said on state television.
Crowds gathered in Tehran’s Enghelab Square and at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. Footage broadcast by state media showed mourners beating their chests and weeping. Similar scenes were reported in Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan.
Other videos verified by Reuters showed small groups celebrating in parts of Tehran, Karaj and Isfahan.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US assets across the region. The United Arab Emirates said Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at the country on Saturday. Abu Dhabi reported one death and seven injuries linked to an incident at its airport. Dubai airport suspended operations.
Bahrain confirmed missile strikes near the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet. Qatar said it intercepted missiles targeting its airspace. Kuwait reported interceptions in the south of the country. Oman said drones struck the port of Duqm, injuring one worker, and an oil tanker was hit off its coast, wounding four crew members.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations warned of “significant military activity” around the Strait of Hormuz.
In Israel, sirens sounded across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israeli ambulance service said two people were killed and 20 taken to hospital after a missile struck a residential building. The Health Ministry reported 456 hospital admissions since the start of hostilities.
Russia condemned the killing. President Vladimir Putin described it as a “cynical murder in violation of all standards of human morality and international law”, according to the TASS news agency. The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the death marked “a defining moment in Iran’s history”.
At the United Nations Security Council, Russian and Chinese envoys criticised the strikes, arguing they took place during nuclear negotiations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qasem mourned Khamenei as a martyr and pledged to confront what he called aggression. Hamas issued a statement condemning the attack and holding the United States and Israel responsible.
Airlines across the Middle East suspended flights as airspace closed. Emirates halted operations from Dubai. British Airways cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain. The International Energy Agency said it was monitoring the situation and remained in contact with major producers.
Khamenei had led Iran since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the Islamic revolution. During his tenure, Iran expanded its missile programme and extended influence through allied groups across the region.
HT