Iran begins 40-day mourning after Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack

News | Israel-Iran conflict Iran begins 40-day mourning after Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack President Masoud Pezeshkian condemns killing of Iran’s supreme leader as ‘a great crime’, according to a statement from his office. Listen to this article | 5 mins Video Duration 07 minutes 52 seconds 07:52 Iran confirms Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dead after US-Israeli attacks By Caolán Magee Published On 1 Mar 2026 1 Mar 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Add Al Jazeera on Google Iran has begun 40 days of mourning after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media. Top security officials were also killed in Saturday’s strikes, along with Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson. The killings mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 New Yorkers protest US strikes on Iran list 2 of 4 US strikes on Iran trigger renewed demands for war powers legislation list 3 of 4 Netanyahu’s war? Analysts say Trump’s Iran strikes benefit Israel, not US list 4 of 4 Despite antiwar MAGA wing, Trump gets Republican support for Iran strikes end of list President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as “a great crime”, according to a statement from his office. He also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said people were pouring into the streets of the capital following the news of Khamenei’s killing. “There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country. Protests denouncing Khamenei’s killing were also reported elsewhere, including Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan. “There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country. Footage aired by Iranian s...