Iran: Thousands take to streets to mourn Ali Khamenei's killing
Thousands of mourners have gathered across Iran to mourn and protest following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei, who had been the supreme leader since 1989, was killed in the opening salvo of US and Israeli attacks on Saturday morning.
His death was confirmed by Iranian state media in the early hours of Sunday.
Mourners gather in Enghelab Square in Tehran, many dressed in black, waving Iranian flags and holding photos of Khamenei.
According to AFP, they chanted slogans including “Death to America” and called for retaliation against Israel and the US.
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The Iranian government announced seven days of official holiday and 40 days of mourning after the leader’s death.
In Mashhad, the flag over the dome of the Imam Reza Shrine was replaced with a black one to signify mourning. Worshippers were seen in tears near the shrine.
There was also a large gathering of mourners and protesters in Isfahan, according to footage shared by Iran’s Student News Network.
Thousands of Iranians gathered in cities across the country to mourn the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, following official confirmation by state media.
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 1, 2026
Large crowds filled streets in Tehran and other major cities, with mourners waving flags, holding portraits and… pic.twitter.com/ODTgKgP1W2
In the holy city of Qom, hundreds gathered at the shrine of Hazrat Masume to protest, according to Anadolu Agency.
A red flag, signifying revenge, was raised at Jamkaran Mosque on the outskirts of Qom, according to state-run Press TV.
Press TV also reported mourning in the city of Zanjan.
Scenes of mourning and protest over Khamenei's killing were also reported outside Iran, including in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, in Kashmir and in Karachi, Pakistan.
At least six people were killed in Karachi amid violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
'Martyrdom will begin a great uprising'
An announcer appearing on state television broke down in tears early on Sunday as he confirmed Khamenei's killing, saying the 86-year-old "achieved his long cherished wish of martyrdom in the holy month of Ramadan".
"Today, Iran, the Islamic nations and freedom seekers across the world are grieving the evil attacks by the criminal Americans and wicked Zionists," he said.
"The martyrdom of a personality of such great stature will begin a great uprising in the fight against the world's oppressors," he added.
The semi-official Fars news agency, which has links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were also killed in the strikes.
Satellite imagery seen by Middle East Eye showed widespread destruction at the supreme leader's compound after videos posted on social media showed black smoke billowing from the area.
The Supreme National Security Council vowed to avenge Khamenei's "martyrdom", saying it had "opened a new chapter of ruling in Islam's history".
US President Donald Trump earlier announced the killing, saying that Khamenei's killing had delivered justice not only "for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans".
"He [Khamenei] was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do," Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social Platform.
"This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country," Trump added.
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