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The Government of Iran officially confirmed the death of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, following recent attacks attributed to Israel and the United States.
Iranian state media, including HispanTV, reported that Jamenei was "martyred in the Zionist-American aggression," referring to the bombings against targets of the Iranian regime amid the current military escalation.
After the announcement, the authorities declared 40 days of public mourning and seven days of suspension of activities across the country, a measure that halts state institutions and official events.
The message disseminated through channels linked to the Iranian government described the death as a "martyrdom" and directly blamed Israel and the United States for the death of the country’s highest religious and political leader.
Jamenei, who had held the position since 1989, was the highest authority of the Islamic Republic and exercised direct control over the Armed Forces, the Revolutionary Guard, and the main organs of the State.
The official confirmation comes amid an unprecedented regional escalation, following targeted airstrikes against Iranian high command and the intensification of military operations in the area.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, had already suggested that Jamenei might have died in the attacks during the night and early morning.
This Saturday, Israel announced that among the casualties from the targeted attacks over the last day are also seven high-ranking officials of the regime, including Iranian Defense Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Pakpour.
Additionally, Ali Shamkhani, senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran and former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; Saleh Asadi, senior official of the Ministry of Defense associated with strategic planning; and Mohammad Shirazi, head of the Supreme Leader's Military Office.
Likewise, Hossein Jabal Amelian, a high-ranking official in the logistics apparatus of the Ministry of Defense; and Reza Mozaffari-Nia, a senior official in the Iranian military-industrial sector linked to defense programs.
The death of the supreme leader and the country's main leaders opens a scenario of high political uncertainty in Iran, as the system provides that the Assembly of Experts will be responsible for appointing his successor.
Meanwhile, massive demonstrations of both mourning and support are expected in various parts of the country, amid a backdrop of internal tension and international pressure.
The situation continues to evolve and could have profound repercussions on the political and military balance in the Middle East.
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