Khamenei Death: Mourning and Vengeance Ensue

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during Saturday’s US-Israeli joint strike on Tehran.

Khamenei’s Death – Iranian Response

President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing, according to a statement from his office, and declared seven days of public holidays in addition to 40 days of mourning.

On Iranian state media, Pezeshkian stated Khamenei was killed “at the hands of the most wicked villains in the world.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers bloodshed and revenge against the perpetrators and commander of this historical crime as its duty and legitimate right will fulfil this great responsibility and duty with all its might.”

Head of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani called for Iranians to unite, saying, “Groups seeking to divide Iran should know that we will not tolerate it.” he also accused the U.S. and Israel of attempting to plunder Iran in an interview aired on state TV.

One of the attacks on a military base killed over 100 girls at a nearby elementary school. As the joint strikes continue, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated they would continue through the week.

Israel has begun a new wave of attacks “in the heart of Tehran.” At the same time, Iran retaliates with fresh strikes after the killing of Khamenei, targeting U.S. military bases, Israel, and other areas across the region. The conflict has caused damage, taken lives, and disrupted industry.

Nations Divided

The Iranian nation is divided as the country celebrates and mourns the loss of its supreme leader. Additionally, people in the U.S. are divided between celebration and protests.

The Middle Eastern country began 40 days of mourning for Khamenei, according to Iranian state media.

Saturday’s joint strikes also killed top security officials, Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Marking one of the most significant blows to leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The Iranian state media aired footage of supporters mourning at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. Protests have also been reported in Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning.

Videos of protesting have emerged with people waving flags and shouting slogans. Some witnesses say people were heading toward the US Embassy. Protesters were seen blocking vehicles at a roundabout near one of the entrances.

Protests in a Pakistani city showed protesters setting fire to the US consulate and smashing windows.

Meanwhile, IRNA news agency reported that the assembly of a three-person council, consisting of the president of Iran, the chief of the judiciary, and one of the jurists on the Guardian Council, will temporarily assume leadership responsibilities.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed revenge and launched strikes on 27 bases housing U.S. troops in the region, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.

Explosions continue to be reported in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while security alerts remain in place in several countries across the region.

US-Israeli Strike History With Iran

The Israeli military says it “will not forget” the Hamas attacks that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023, after the U.S.-Israel strike on Iran.

“We will not forget the seventh of October, and we will continue to pursue Israel’s enemies — from the architects of the attack to the terrorists who took part in the massacre,” wrote Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on social media.

Defrin quotes a post from the Supreme Leader on Oct. 10, 2023, when he told Israel the attacks on the seventh would be “something you can never rise above,” and Israel “brought this calamity upon yourselves.”

Sources:

CNN: Live updates: Iran vows to avenge the supreme leader’s death as Israel renews attack on Tehran
The New York Times: Iranians Take to the Street to Celebrate Khamenei’s Death
Al Jazeera: Iran begins 40-day mourning after Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack

Featured Image Courtesy of Ninara’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License