Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened on Sunday to launch its "most intense offensive operation" ever after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The most-intense offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin in moments, targeting (Israel) and American terrorists bases," AP quoted them saying.
On Iranian state television, an anchor broke in to read the announcement of Khamenei’s death. "To the noble and proud people of Iran: With the ultimate grief and sorrow this is to inform you that following the barbaric attack by the criminal governments of America and the evil Zionist regime, the true example of faith, jihad and resistance, the Supreme Leader of the Revolution Grand Ayatollah Khamenei achieved the blessing of martyrdom," the anchor said, reported AP.
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40 days of mourning announced
In a tearful address, a state TV presenter announced Khamenei's death. They said the country will enter 40 days of mourning, BBC stated in its report.
Iranian state television reported that Khamenei was at his compound in downtown Tehran when the initial attack started. Satellite photos from Airbus showed the site heavily bombed.
His death at his office "showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance", state TV said, reported AP.
Iran announces President and two others will oversee transition
Iran has announced that its president, the head of the judiciary, and one jurist from the Guardian Council, a powerful group that vets laws, will oversee the transition period after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Also Read | Iran state media says Khamenei is dead, 'country to enter 40 days of mourning'
The BBC reported that the Assembly of Leadership Experts, a group of clerics, will now work on appointing Khamenei's successor. The constitution states this must happen as soon as possible. Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-line judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei are on it, AP reported.
Iranian law says the Assembly of Experts "must, as soon as possible" pick a new supreme leader.
Khamenei was appointed on the same day that Ruhollah Ayatollah Khomeini died.
