Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his office on Saturday morning during US-Israeli air strikes, state media confirms.
An anchor on Iranian state media announced Khamenei’s death, reading out a statement in Farsi through tears.
The country has declared 40 days of mourning.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of a “devastating offensive” in response, saying it would attack US bases and Israel.
According to the constitution, Khamenei’s successor must be selected by the same body that chose him: the Assembly of Leadership Experts. In the meantime, the president, the head of judiciary and a cleric member of the powerful Guardian Council would usually assume his responsibilities.
