Iran’s state television announced moments ago that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 86, is dead, confirming the announcements made by US President Donald Trump. Iranian media reported earlier that during the attacks launched yesterday Saturday by the US and Israel, Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were also killed. Thus, Iran declared national mourning that will last for a period of 40 days and 7 holidays following the death of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic who held power since 1989. “With the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader, his vision and mission will not be lost, will not be forgotten; on the contrary, they will continue with even more strength and zeal,” assured a state television presenter.
The regime in Iran is announcing what the world has known for half a day already.
Complete with sad islamic chants.
(nobody is mourning and everyone is celebrating everywhere lol) pic.twitter.com/B11b9ba8O2
— 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 🇮🇷 ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) March 1, 2026
Iran also confirmed the deaths of the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Pakpour, as well as Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and head of the national defense council. Mohammad Pakpour, who had assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Guards in June after his predecessor’s death during the 12-day war, and Ali Shamkhani, a top security official in the country, fell as “martyrs” yesterday Saturday during the massive aerial bombardments by the US and Israel in Tehran, reported the Mizan news agency, an organ of Iran’s judiciary.
Who will assume the succession
Three officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, will manage Iran’s transition following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as stated today by an advisor to the Ayatollah, Mohammad Mokhber, according to state television. Besides Pezeshkian, this task will be undertaken by the head of the judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and a jurist from the Guardian Council, Mokhber added.
Threats from the Revolutionary Guards
The Revolutionary Guards—an elite corps of Iran’s armed forces—promised today “severe punishment” for the “assassins” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In their statement, the Revolutionary Guards condemned “the criminal and terrorist actions committed by the malicious governments of the US and the Zionist regime,” adding that “the hand of vengeance of the Iranian nation” will deliver “severe and decisive punishment” to “the assassins of the Imam of the Ummah (Muslims)” that will make them “regret.” The Revolutionary Guards, an elite corps of Iran’s armed forces, announced today that they will launch “the most savage attack in history” against Israel and the US, before 24 hours are completed from the start of their joint military operations against the Islamic Republic and after Iran’s state television confirmed earlier today the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “The most savage offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin at any moment against the occupied territories and bases of the American terrorist army,” the Revolutionary Guards stated via Telegram.
