Iran in National Mourning After Ayatollah Khamenei Killed During Ramadan

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Sunday, 1 March, has brought profound grief to the Iranian people. Khamenei died following a series of US-Israeli attacks targeting the capital Tehran, including his residential complex.

Large crowds of Iranians gathered in various regions, including Tehran, to express their condolences. Mourners were seen weeping whilst waving Iranian flags and holding photographs of Khamenei. Crowds also raised flags of mourning at Revolution Square in Tehran and at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.

Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holiday in response to Khamenei’s death. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that it would launch the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and American bases, signalling a sharp escalation in regional hostilities.