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. ALSO READ: RwandAir suspends Middle East flights amid US-Iran escalation 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. ALSO READ: African Union cautions against wider instability after US-Iran tensions Protests denouncing Khamenei’s killing were reported in Tehran and other regions such as Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan. The killing also led to protests in neighbouring Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning. Read the full story here.
