Kathmandu, March 1

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died, Iran’s state television has confirmed. 40 days of national mourning has also been declared following his death.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed. Although Trump made the claim through Truth Social, it had not been officially confirmed by Iran at the time.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with NBC News, had insisted that the Supreme Leader was safe and in good health.

However, according to the BBC, a presenter on Iran’s state television became emotional while announcing that Supreme Leader Khamenei had died and that 40 days of mourning had been declared.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s Fars News Agency also stated that Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed on Saturday. According to the report, Khamenei was killed early Saturday morning while carrying out his official duties in his office.

Fars News Agency added that the government has declared 40 days of mourning and seven days of public holiday.

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency has also confirmed Khamenei’s death.