People mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes
Iraqi government has announced a three-day national mourning period following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel.
In a statement issued on Sunday, government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the people of Iran and the wider Muslim community.
“With deep sorrow, we extend our condolences to the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world,” al-Awadi said, describing the killing as “a blatant act of aggression.”
He added that the government of Iraq had approved three days of official mourning and called for an immediate halt to military operations, warning that the conflict was pushing the region toward “unprecedented levels of violence.”
Scenes of grief were reported in Tehran, where thousands gathered in public squares to mourn the late leader.
Iran has long maintained strong political and security influence in Iraq, including backing armed groups whose power has expanded in recent years. For decades, Iraq has also served as a proxy battleground between Tehran and Washington.
Reacting to the development, the ruling coalition known as the Coordination Framework described Khamenei as a “martyred leader” and paid glowing tribute to his legacy.
“With deep sorrow and profound grief, we mourn the passing of the martyred leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” the coalition said. “His blood will remain a guiding light for all generations.”
Influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr also issued a condolence message, expressing sympathy with the Islamic world and announcing his own observance of the three-day mourning period.
The death of Iran’s top leader has heightened tensions across the Middle East, raising fears of wider instability as regional and global powers reassess their positions.
