Iran’s state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989.
‘With the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission neither will be lost nor will be forgotten; on the other hand, they will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal’, a presenter said.
It had earlier confirmed the death of Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.
A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.
US President Donald Trump had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.
