Iran declares 40 days of national mourning after Khamenei’s death

Kathmandu. The government of Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 40th day of death is considered the most sacred day in Shiite Islam, according to Iranian state media.

Khamenei was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The Supreme Leader’s Office said a period of national mourning would be imposed throughout the country, flags would be flown at half-mast in government buildings and tributes would be held at various places. The incident marks the end of a chapter in the Islamic Republic’s 37-year leadership.

Khamenei has been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989. He succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution. His leadership was known for his tough stance against Western powers. According to Iran’s state news agency, Khamenei was killed in the attack in his office on Sunday morning.

The official Persian social media account cited a verse from the Holy Quran and described his death as the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s sovereignty.

Earlier, Iranian media quoted Iranian sources as saying that the US-Israeli strikes also killed Khamenei’s daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of some groups celebrating in different cities of Iran. According to some international media outlets, there have been scenes of anti-regime chanting and people taking to the streets to celebrate.

Iranian activist and journalist Masih Alinejad posted a video on social media describing the incident as a “historic moment”. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called on Iranians to unite and support a stable transition to a free and prosperous future.

He said the current regime’s attempt to appoint a new successor would fail. US President Donald Trump called Khamenei’s death “justice for the Iranian people”. He said targeted strikes would continue until peace was restored in the Middle East. The process of selecting a new supreme leader is expected to be challenging amid the war. Whether the future leadership will be under the control of the religious establishment or the influence of the Islamic revolutionary security structure has raised concerns about Iran’s political future.