Iran Declares 40-Day Mourning After Death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Iran has officially confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following a coordinated military strike by the United States and Israel. In response, the Iranian government has declared 40 days of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday across the country.

The announcement was broadcast on Iranian state media Sunday morning, March 1, 2026. State television (IRIB) broke the news with the statement: "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has been martyred."

According to news agencies IRNA and Fars, the 86-year-old leader was killed during an attack on his residence and office in Tehran early Saturday morning. The operation, which the U.S. dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," reportedly involved precision strikes that caused extensive damage to the leadership compound.

US President Donald Trump first announced the death on his Truth Social platform, describing the event as a pivotal moment for the Iranian people. Reports from Reuters and the BBC confirmed that several of Khamenei's family members, including his daughter and son-in-law, were also killed in the strike.

40 days of mourning began immediately on Sunday. 7-day public holiday has been enacted to facilitate state ceremonies.

Security has been heightened in Tehran and other major cities as the Assembly of Experts prepares to navigate a constitutional transition.

While state media frames the death as "martyrdom," international outlets including CNN have reported mixed reactions within Iran, citing both public grief and scattered celebrations in certain regions.