Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in massive US and Israeli missile strikes, - Iranian state media
Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following missile strikes by the United States and Israel. A 40-day mourning period has been declared in the country.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported bythe Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
It is noted that the Ayatollah died on the morning of 28 February. His key associates were also killed. Among those killed were influential former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces Mohammad Pakpour.
In addition, Iranian state media reported that Khamenei's daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were killed in the Israeli-American strikes.
The government has declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of official holidays.
Who will rule Iran?
According to The New York Times, Ayatollah Khamenei had developed a strategy in advance to preserve the regime by transferring control of the country to his close ally Ali Larijani.
To ensure stability in the event of his death or unavailability, he authorised a small circle of individuals to make decisions, defining four levels of succession. Key figures in the plan include Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, military adviser Safavi and Chief of Staff Hejazi, although the Israeli side claims to have eliminated the latter.
Possible successors to Khamenei
During last year's war with Israel, Khamenei named three possible successors:
- Head of the judiciary Golam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei;
- Deputy Head of Khamenei's Administration Ali Asghar Hejazi;
- religious leader Hassan Khomeini (grandson of Khamenei's predecessor, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini).
According to the publication, one of Khamenei's sons, Mojtaba, enjoys the support of some factions, but Khamenei himself did not want the position of Supreme Leader to be inherited.
