Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, according to sources. Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father as Supreme Leader, according to sources. The new leader issued a statement vowing revenge for his father's death.
'We will avenge my father's blood. The United States and Israel are responsible for this crime, and we will strike their bases and their allies in the Gulf,' Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement, according to sources. A draft report found America was likely behind the airstrike, according to sources.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the killing a 'declaration of war against Muslims' and promised retaliation, according to major media reports. 'This is a declaration of war against Muslims, and we will respond accordingly,' Pezeshkian stated, according to major media reports. Other Muslim leaders like Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemned the strikes, according to major media reports.
The regime is calling for unity, according to sources. Public sentiment in Iran appears divided following the event. Some Iranians are happy about Khamenei's death, with one woman expressing joy.
I am happy that he is dead.
'I am happy that he is dead,' an Iranian woman said, according to sources. However, the regime is simultaneously calling for unity among Iranians, according to sources. The exact nature of public sentiment remains complex, with reports of both celebration and official mourning.
Leadership prospects in Iran are also a point of discussion. There is support for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, according to some reports. Conversely, other reports indicate Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi lacks broad appeal, according to major media reports.
The future leadership landscape is uncertain. According to activist group Stage of Freedom, ordinary Iranians fear retaliation from the IRGC more than the airstrikes. The internal stability of the Iranian regime following the assassination is unclear.
A BBC contributor dismissed the report of Khamenei's death as a hoax, but the BBC described those views as 'abhorrent', according to sources. Mojtaba Khamenei is now hiding, and the US is offering a $10 million reward for information on his whereabouts, according to major media reports. The regime remains in power but is weakened, major media reports state.
We will avenge my father's blood. The United States and Israel are responsible for this crime, and we will strike their bases and their allies in the Gulf.
Ali Khamenei had transferred decision-making powers to Ali Larijani before his death, major media reports indicate. North Korean defectors reacted to the assassination, suggesting it might scare Kim Jong-un, according to major media reports. Jeremy Clarkson suggested he should be Iran's new leader.
'I should be the new leader of Iran,' Clarkson said, according to sources. An Iranian communist activist in Iraq does not support the US-Israeli attacks due to civilian casualties, major media reports. The extent of civilian casualties from the airstrikes has not been disclosed.
The international community's official stance beyond the reported condemnations is not fully known. The specific retaliatory actions being planned by Iran have not been detailed. The current location and status of Mojtaba Khamenei remain unknown.
The airstrike occurred amid heightened regional tensions, with analysts noting potential implications for Middle East stability. Mojtaba Khamenei's vow of revenge raises concerns about escalating conflicts, as he specifically targeted US bases and Gulf allies. The draft report implicating America adds to diplomatic complexities, though its findings are preliminary.
Iranian officials have emphasized national unity in response to the crisis, but internal divisions persist, with some citizens openly celebrating while others mourn. The succession process, though swift, faces challenges from alternative leadership figures like Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose support is contested. Security concerns are paramount, with fears of IRGC retaliation influencing public behavior.
International reactions vary, with Muslim leaders condemning the strike and figures like Jeremy Clarkson making light of the situation. The lack of details on civilian casualties and planned retaliation leaves many questions unanswered, as the world watches for Iran's next moves.