Tehran/Tel Aviv/Washington, 01 March (H.S.): The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel joint airstrike has plunged the world into turmoil, alongside deaths of the defense minister and IRGC chief, drawing fierce global backlash.
Russia's Vladimir Putin hailed Khamenei as a great leader, slamming the assassination as a violation of human ethics and international law. China condemned the act outright.
Tehran activated Article 111 for emergency rule, appointing Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as interim Supreme Leader alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei until a permanent successor.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB confirmed Khamenei's martyrdom Sunday, with his daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law also killed. IDF identified slain officials like Ali Shamkhani, IRGC's Mohammad Pakpour, intel chief Salah Asadi, and Mohammad Shirazi. Iran declared 40 days' state mourning and a 7-day holiday.
Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 after the 1979 Revolution, led for 36.5 years until February 28, 2026. Trump first announced his death on Truth Social: One of history's worst people, Khamenei, is dead, vowing strikes until peace reigns.Israel PM Netanyahu pledged ongoing action until Iran's people are free.
Iran FM Abbas Araghchi notified UN Secretary-General and Security Council President, invoking Article 51 self-defense rights. President Pezeshkian called it a war on Muslims, while IRGC vowed history's most dangerous attack.
Trump warned on Truth Social: Iran threatens massive retaliation, but if they do, we'll hit them with force never seen before.Escalating Retaliations Grip RegionIRGC struck Dubai's Jebel Ali Airport, damaging key areas, and hit Doha.
Sunday afternoon, Iran targeted Palau-flagged tanker Skylight in Hormuz Strait off Oman—evacuating 20 crew (15 Indians, 5 Iranians), injuring 4.Israel accused Iran of deliberate civilian targeting via ballistic missiles, labeling it a war crime.
Spokesman Oren Marmorstein said strikes hit residential zones, affecting kids, elderly, and foreigners—unlike Israel's military-only hits. Our fight is with Tehran's regime, not its people.Worldwide Reactions and ProtestsRussia's Putin spoke with Pezeshkian; China decried the attack during talks.
In Pakistan, 9 died, 18 injured in Karachi US consulate clashes. India's Shia areas like Kargil, Lucknow, and Delhi saw protests over Khamenei's killing.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
