TEHRAN, March 1, (V7N) - Thousands of mourners gathered in Enghelab Square on Sunday after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades. Dressed in black, many chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel,” waving flags and holding his portraits.

Khamenei, 86, died as US President Donald Trump claimed he was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike. Iranian state media confirmed his death but gave no details. Some Tehran residents were seen cheering from rooftops, reflecting deep divisions after years of repression, sanctions, and economic hardship.

His rule was marked by harsh crackdowns, including the recent deadly suppression of protests over currency collapse, where thousands were killed. Khamenei also oversaw the expansion of the Revolutionary Guard, transforming it into Iran’s most powerful institution, controlling missiles, elite forces, and vast business interests.

The timing of his death, amid escalating confrontation with the US and Israel, leaves Iran facing uncertainty. Under the constitution, a council of Shiite clerics must select the next supreme leader. Analysts warn the Guard could assert control, risking violent power struggles. Names circulating include Khamenei’s son, though no successor has been announced.

Khamenei’s legacy is one of entrenching clerical rule, resisting reform movements, and projecting Iran’s influence through allies like Hezbollah and Hamas. Yet recent wars and strikes have weakened Tehran’s regional network. His death opens a volatile chapter for Iran and the wider Middle East, with succession battles likely to shape the future of the Islamic Republic.

END/WD/RH