Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in nationwide demonstrations to mark the 40-day mourning period of the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, amid rising tensions over his reported killing in a United States-Israel military strike.
The rallies, held across major cities including Tehran, Urmia, and Gorgan, drew large crowds carrying portraits of the late leader and waving Iranian flags. The demonstrations coincided with a significant Islamic mourning tradition observed 40 days after death.
Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for over three decades, was reportedly killed on February 28 in what Iranian authorities described as a coordinated strike involving the United States and Israel. The attack allegedly targeted his residence in Tehran and resulted in the deaths of several senior military officials and government figures.
In the capital, daily activities have gradually resumed following a fragile ceasefire that came into effect earlier in the week. However, the mourning events underscored deep public anger and national grief, with demonstrators condemning foreign involvement and calling for resistance.
President Masoud Pezeshkian joined mourners in Tehran, where he was seen interacting with citizens during the commemorative ceremonies broadcast on state media.
Many participants expressed outrage over the circumstances surrounding Khamenei’s death. One protester described the killing as “cowardly,” accusing the United States and Israel of crossing a critical red line.
The commemorations began at precisely 9:40 a.m. local time, marking the moment the fatal strike reportedly occurred, adding symbolic weight to the nationwide gatherings.
Meanwhile, political tensions remain high as Iran prepares for anticipated diplomatic talks in Pakistan later this week. Some demonstrators voiced opposition to any negotiations, arguing that engagement with foreign powers would undermine national sovereignty in the wake of the attack.
Khamenei was succeeded in early March by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has reportedly been out of public view following injuries sustained in a separate incident, according to Iranian officials.
The protests highlight a volatile moment for Iran, as the country grapples with leadership transition, public dissent, and the broader geopolitical implications of the reported strike.
