The Japan Times - Music, mourning as Iran's Khamenei is killed

The world greeted with trepidation the news Sunday that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic one day earlier.

- Music in Tehran -

Iranians took to the streets cheering with joy and playing celebratory music after reports of Khamenei's death, according to witnesses and video footage verified by AFP.

The celebrations in Tehran began shortly after 11 pm (1930 GMT), even before Iranian state television had confirmed US President Donald Trump's statement that Khamenei was dead, according to multiple witnesses and audio recordings.

Loud and sustained whistles, cheers were heard and fireworks could be seen being launched on videos shared on social media that were verified by AFP.

People were not, however, coming out en masse to celebrate, according to social media.

Many Iranians were fearful after the deadly crackdown on mass anti-government protests in January.

- Mourning in Tehran -

The thousands who did gather in the centre of Iran's capital were instead mourning Khamenei's death, according to AFP journalists.

The mourners, dressed mostly in black and some crying, chanted "death to America" and "death to Israel" in Enghelab (Revolution) Square, with many waving Iran's flags and holding photos of Khamenei.

Iranian state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays.

"With the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission neither will be lost nor will be forgotten, on the other hand, they will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal," a presenter said.

- 'Hand of revenge' -

Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to punish Khamenei's "murderers".

"The hand of revenge of the Iranian nation for a severe, decisive and regrettable punishment for the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah will not let go of them," the Guards said in a statement.

- 'Most evil' -

"Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump said, announcing the killing on his Truth Social network late Saturday.

The killing "is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country," Trump said.

- 'Cruel tyrant' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called for Iranians to "overthrow the regime" after Khamenei's killing.

"For more than three and a half decades, this cruel tyrant has spread terror across the world while oppressing his own people, while working tirelessly and without pause on a plan to destroy Israel," he said in a televised statement.

- 'Dustbin of history' -

The son of Iran's late shah on Saturday hailed the killing, saying the Islamic republic that replaced his pro-Western father was finished.

"With his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively come to an end and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history," Reza Pahlavi wrote on X.

- 'Guiding light' -

Iraqi leaders, including influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, on Sunday mourned Khamenei.

"We extend our condolences to the Islamic world," Al-Sadr said in a statement, declaring a three-day period of mourning.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement that Khamenei was killed in "a blatant act of aggression".

- Protests in Baghdad -

Hundreds of Iraqis attempted Sunday to storm Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, after the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, an AFP journalist reported.

"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying," a security source told AFP.

- 'Will not be mourned' -

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that Khamenei "will not be mourned".

"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responsible for the regime's ballistic missile and nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal acts of violence and intimidation against its own people," Albanese told reporters.

"His passing will not be mourned."

- 'Free Iran' -

Jubilant Iranian-Americans on Saturday took to the streets from Boston to Los Angeles to cheer Khamenei's death and voice hope for a brighter future for their homeland.

In Los Angeles, home to a massive Iranian diaspora, singing and ululating marchers carried flags of shah-era Iran and posters bearing Trump's image, with some wearing "Free Iran" shirts.

- 'All scenarios' -

Iran's security chief Ali Larijani said the transition process following the killing will begin from Sunday.

Iran has prepared for "all scenarios", including the way forward, its parliament's speaker said Sunday.

Trump and Netanyahu have "crossed our red lines" and "will suffer the consequences", Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added in a video carried on state TV.

burs-st/sbk

M.Yamazaki--JT