In connection with this event, the Iranian government announced a 40-day nationwide mourning period and seven days of public holidays. Khamenei had led the Islamic Republic for 37 years.
Following the announcement of his death, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying, "The Guards, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, and the popular Basij will continue the struggle, following their leader and confronting internal and external threats, as well as punishing violators of the country's sovereignty."
The Iranian authorities also promised retaliatory measures. "This heinous crime will not go unpunished and will mark the beginning of a new era in the history of the Islamic world and the Shia community," IRNA quoted an official statement.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, previously confirmed the news of the Iranian leader's death. In his post on the social network Truth Social, he noted: "This is not only justice for the people of Iran but also for all Americans and citizens of other countries who have suffered from the actions of Khamenei and his supporters."
On the same day, February 28, the U.S. and Israel struck various targets in Tehran and other parts of Iran. Trump stated his intention to destroy the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and called on the Iranian armed forces to lay down their arms, urging the population to "take their fate into their own hands."
According to data from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the strikes resulted in the deaths of 201 people, with 747 injured. It was also reported that 108 schoolgirls died in a girls' school in the city of Minab, where the IRGC base is located. The U.S. and Israel have not yet commented on this information.
In response, Iran attacked Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the Middle East, leading to a state of emergency being declared in Israel. Iranian strikes also affected neighboring countries in the region.
The European Union expressed serious concern over the escalation of the situation. The leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom condemned Iran's actions and called for negotiations with Tehran.
