In response to this loss, the Iranian government announced a 40-day mourning period and seven days of holidays. Khamenei had held the position of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic for 37 years.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement emphasizing that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and the popular Basij will continue to fight for the ideals of their leader and will steadfastly resist both internal and external threats.
Iranian authorities also promised to respond to this "great crime," which they said "will open a new chapter in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism," as reported by IRNA.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously confirmed the news of the Iranian leader's death, calling it justice for both the Iranian people and for many Americans and citizens of other countries who suffered from the actions of Khamenei and his supporters. He made this statement on the social network Truth Social on February 28.
On the same day, the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Tehran and other targets in Iran. Trump urged the Iranian military to lay down their arms and encouraged the population to "take their destiny into their own hands."
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the attacks resulted in the deaths of 201 people, with another 747 injured. There were also reports of 108 schoolgirls killed in a girls' school in the city of Minab, where the base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is located. The U.S. and Israel have not yet commented on this information.
In response, Iran launched strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the Middle East, leading to a state of emergency being declared in Israel. Iranian attacks also affected other countries in the region.
The European Union expressed deep concern over the situation. Leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom condemned Iran's actions and called for negotiations.
