Khamenei Dead, Iran Vows Harshest Retaliation Against US and Israel

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared its readiness to launch the harshest retaliation following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This stance reaffirms Tehran’s determination to punish those it identifies as the perpetrators of the leader’s death.

In a statement carried by the Fars news agency, the IRGC expressed profound condolences for Khamenei’s passing. “We have lost a great leader and we mourn his departure,” the statement said, according to reports on Sunday (1 March 2026).

The IRGC characterised Khamenei’s death as “martyrdom at the hands of the most brutal terrorists and executioners of humanity,” arguing that this in fact reinforced the legitimacy and dedication of the leader.

“The avenging hand of the Iranian nation for heavy, decisive, and regrettable punishment of the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah will not release them,” the IRGC stated.

The corps also declared it would stand “firm in confronting domestic and foreign conspiracies,” and claimed that “the most savage offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon begin,” as conveyed through official Telegram channels.

Earlier, Iran’s state media broadcast news of Khamenei’s death with emotional atmosphere. A national television presenter was visibly tearful whilst announcing Khamenei’s passing. The Iranian government declared a 40-day national mourning period.

“Iran will enter 40 days of mourning,” BBC International reported, citing Iranian state media. In that report, Khamenei was described as a martyr as a result of an attack allegedly carried out by the “Zionist regime of Israel and the United States” on Saturday (28 February 2026) morning local time.

Previously, US President Donald Trump and several Israeli officials had announced that Khamenei was killed in an attack launched by the two countries.

Khamenei’s death represents a major blow to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He had led the country since 1989, one decade after the Islamic Revolution overthrew the monarchy and transformed the political landscape of the Middle East. Iranian state media also reported that several members of Khamenei’s family were among the casualties, including a daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law.