The Iranian government confirms the deaths of 40 officials including Kameni - a 40-day mourning period

Iran's state media has officially confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated inside his office in a series of joint airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel. Following these attacks on Saturday morning, Iran has declared a 40-day period of national mourning, and this incident marks the beginning of a massive crisis in the Middle East region.

According to CBS News, the American partner of the BBC media network, nearly 40 high-ranking Iranian government officials have died in these attacks.

Commenting on the assassination, US President Donald Trump stated that Khamenei was "one of the most evil individuals in history." He further emphasized that this is a unique opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their homeland. Israel has also confirmed these attacks, stating that several high-ranking security officials, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were killed. Additionally, Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, as well as Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour, are reportedly among the deceased.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, more than 200 people have died so far due to attacks across the country. Of these, 108 people died when American and Israeli attacks targeted a girls' school. Following the attacks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a severe warning that it would launch the most devastating and destructive retaliatory strike in history against American bases and Israel.

Accordingly, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory attacks targeting American military bases and American allied states in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Debris from a drone destroyed by the military near Dubai International Airport crashed, causing a fire at Jebel Ali Port and injuring four people. Authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that a similar attack on the city killed one person and injured seven others.

With Khamenei's death, mixed reactions can be observed among the people in Iran. While people in several cities, including Tehran, took to the streets to mourn their leader, scenes have been released to the media showing people in cities like Isfahan and Karaj, as well as family members of protesters recently suppressed by the government, celebrating with firecrackers. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's former Shah, has also welcomed the assassination, stating that the country needs a new constitution and free elections under international supervision.

To prevent the disruption of the country's administration after the Supreme Leader's demise, a committee comprising the President, the Head of the Judiciary, and a cleric from the powerful Guardian Council will temporarily govern the country. Although the Assembly of Experts for Leadership is constitutionally required to elect a new leader as soon as possible, the current wartime situation has made it challenging. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom is currently participating in coordinated regional security operations to protect British nationals and allies in the region.

‍Watch the video of how Iranian television announced Khamenei's death ›