New Delhi: The Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several members of his family were martyred in a joint airstrike allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel on Saturday.
The 86-year-old Supreme Leader, along with his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandchild, was martyred during the strike in Tehran, according to Iran’s state television channel Press TV.
The broadcaster’s anchor broke down in tears while announcing the death of the Supreme Leader. Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning, while Iraq has also announced a period of state mourning.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has pledged to take revenge for the assassination of the Supreme Leader.
As news of the martyrdom spread, mourners gathered at the Imam Reza Shrine, the Imam Hussain Shrine, the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, Iraq’s Baghdad, and other cities.
Meanwhile, crowds gathered at Enghelab Square, Isfahan and in other parts of the country to mourn the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iran’s defence forces announced that they would launch what they described as a “devastating offensive operation” against US bases and targets across the Middle East.
“The assassination of the leader of the Islamic Revolution will not go unpunished. The pure blood of the martyred leader will uproot the criminal regimes of the US and Israel,” read a statement issued by the Iranian government on Press TV.
IRGC Chief, Senior Advisor Also Killed
Iranian state television also reported that the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, and a senior adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei were also killed in the US-Israel airstrike in Tehran.
US-Israel Joint Strikes in Iran
The United States and Israel reportedly carried out surprise airstrikes across Iran early Saturday morning.
According to Iranian media reports, one of the strikes hit a school, killing more than 50 students along with several civilians, members of Iran’s leadership, and senior military officers.
The airstrikes also targeted strategic and military locations, including IRGC facilities, missile launch sites, and missile defence systems in Kermanshah, Karaj, Qom, and Isfahan.
In retaliation, Iranian defence forces reportedly launched missile strikes targeting US military bases across several Gulf countries.
Iran also fired ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency, while the United Nations has appealed for restraint amid fears of a widening regional conflict.
IRGC Announces Closure of Strait of Hormuz
The IRGC has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with armed patrol boats deployed to dominate the strategic international sea route, where Iranian defence forces have laid underwater mines to stop any kind of attack.
The IRGC has reportedly carried out strikes against the US in 27 bases in West Asia amid bombing by the US-Israel at several locations in Iran, reports the Iranian media.
