Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing him as a martyr and vowing that he would remain “a living nightmare for his killers forever.”
In a post on X, the ministry said Khamenei “lived a pious life, loved Iran, secured Iran’s independence, opposed foreign domination, and worked tirelessly for our country’s resilience.” It added that his “honorable and dignified death as a martyr on the 10th day of Ramadan at the hands of the most corrupt and criminal individuals on earth” would cement his legacy as an inspiring figure in Iranian and Islamic history.
International media outlets reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council would temporarily assume leadership responsibilities following Khamenei’s death.
Meanwhile, fresh airstrikes were reported in Tehran for a second consecutive day. Visuals circulating online showed thick smoke rising over the capital as intensified strikes by Israel and the United States targeted multiple locations. Residents reported loud explosions and heavy air defense activity across the city.
The escalating conflict has heightened fears of broader regional instability, with analysts warning of a prolonged crisis in the Middle East as tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to spiral.
