Gambiaj.com – (TEHRAN, Iran) – Demonstrations broke out across Iran on Sunday after authorities confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli military strikes, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and triggering an outpouring of grief and anger nationwide.
Iran’s state television announced early Sunday that the country’s “Islamic revolution leader has reached martyrdom,” confirming that Khamenei died during the coordinated attacks. The government immediately declared a 40-day national mourning period and a seven-day official holiday.
Crowds Gather in Major Cities
Large crowds poured into the streets of major cities following the announcement, waving Iranian flags, holding up posters of Khamenei, and chanting slogans condemning the United States and Israel.
In the capital, Tehran, hundreds gathered at Inkilap Square, raising flags and portraits of the late leader while shouting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. The atmosphere was marked by visible grief, with many demonstrators weeping openly.
In the holy city of Qom, hundreds assembled at the shrine of Hazrat Masumeh to denounce the strikes, describing the attack as an assault on the Islamic Republic and its religious leadership.
Meanwhile, in Mashhad, mourners gathered at the revered Imam Reza Shrine, where a black flag was draped over the shrine’s dome in a symbolic gesture of mourning. Many in the surrounding courtyard were seen shedding tears as prayers were recited.
Family Members Among the Dead
Iranian officials said the strike occurred early Saturday while Khamenei was at his office in Tehran. State media stressed that, contrary to reports suggesting he had been in hiding, the Supreme Leader was “duty-bound, among the people” at the time of the attack, portraying his death as consistent with what they described as a lifelong commitment to public leadership.
Sources also reported that several members of Khamenei’s family were killed in the strikes, including his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and daughter-in-law.
Civilian Toll Mounts
The Iranian Red Crescent said the broader strikes resulted in significant civilian casualties, reporting at least 201 deaths and 747 injuries.
The killing of Iran’s highest political and religious authority marks a watershed moment for the Islamic Republic, with domestic unrest and regional tensions now intensifying amid fears of further escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
