Iran declares seven-day holiday, 40-day mourning following Khamenei’s death

By Shamsudeen Abubakar

Tens of thousands of Iranians mourned the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

According to Iranian media, top security officials were reported killed in Saturday’s attack, along with Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson.

The government has instituted a 40-day period of national mourning and declared a seven-day official holiday for the 86-year-old leader, who had been in power since 1989.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said people were pouring into the streets of the capital following the news of Khamenei’s killing.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow The Lagos Voice on WhatsApp channel for latest updates

“There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country.

Footage aired by Iranian state media showed supporters mourning at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, with several people seen crying and collapsing in grief.

The killing also led to protests in neighbouring Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning. In Baghdad, protesters confronted security forces in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraqi government buildings and foreign embassies.