Reactions to the assassination of Ali Khamenei

The assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on 28 February 2026, during joint United States–Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, prompted official mourning in Iran, condemnations and calls for restraint from foreign governments and international organizations, and demonstrations among Shia communities abroad.

Iranian state-affiliated media described his assassination as a martyrdom, while Iranian security and military institutions publicly vowed retaliation. Outside Iran, reactions included official statements, rallies and vigils, and, in some cases, violence at protests, particularly in Pakistan and Baghdad. Some Iranian diaspora communities and anti-Islamic Republic activists also celebrated his death.

The assassination occurred during a broader regional conflict. In the following days, Iran launched retaliatory strikes across several Gulf states hosting U.S. assets, attacks were reported on critical infrastructure, governments carried out emergency measures including evacuations, and oil prices rose above $100 per barrel amid disruptions to production and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

During the subsequent power transition, Iran's Assembly of Experts selected Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the next supreme leader. The decision prompted official calls for unity in Iran and drew international commentary and criticism.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.