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Iranian state media on Sunday confirmed the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel in Tehran on Saturday.
Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were also killed in the strikes. Iran state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of the 86-year-old leader, who is revered by Shia Muslims accross the globe.
Following the death of Khamenei, Alireza Arafi has been appointed to lead Iran temporarily. Arafi, a cleric member of the Guardian Council, has been appointed as the jurist member of Iran’s Leadership Council.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plegded revenge and vowed the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and US in retaliation to the killing of Khamenei. Responding to the threat, US President Trump on Sunday said he would hit Iran with “force that has never been seen before.”
Explosions were reported in Israel, Doha, Dubai and Manama as the IRGC announced attacks on Israel and 27 military bases of US in the Middle East.
Israel and the US carried out waves of strikes on Saturday, including a daylight attack on Tehran. The first strike was reported near Khamenei’s office. An Israeli strike also hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab in Hormozgan province in southern Iran, killing at least 148 people, including students.
The Iranian Red Crescent said on Saturday evening that at least 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in the attacks.