Iran Confirms Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed in US-Israel Attacks, Vows Revenge
Tehran announces 40 days of public mourning after strikes kill Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in joint US-Israeli military attacks, Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday, prompting vows of revenge from the Revolutionary Guards and 40 days of national mourning.
The 86-year-old leader, who had been in power since 1989, was killed along with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, according to Iranian media reports. State television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following his death.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a strong warning, stating: “The hand of revenge of the Iranian nation for a severe, decisive and regrettable punishment for the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah will not let go of them.”
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed responsibility for the attack. Trump said Khamenei’s killing was “justice for the people of Iran” and for Americans and others “killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang.” Netanyahu declared in a video statement: “This morning, in a powerful surprise attack, we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei.”
According to US sources, the attack was timed to coincide with a meeting Khamenei was holding with top aides, including former National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani and IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour. Intelligence detected the meeting on Saturday morning, prompting the strikes to be moved forward.
Khamenei’s high-security compound in Tehran was destroyed in the initial strikes, satellite imagery confirmed. His body has been found, a senior Israeli official told Reuters.
Source: Al Jazeera