Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, bringing an end to his 36-year rule over the Islamic Republic. The Iranian government has declared a 40-day mourning period, while reports indicate that some citizens have gathered in the streets in celebration of his death.

The Revolutionary Guard has vowed to punish those responsible and has launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, raising fears of wider regional escalation. Strong reactions have emerged at the United Nations Security Council and in the United States Congress as global leaders assess the implications.

The development leaves urgent questions about who will assume leadership in Iran and how the shift will affect stability in the Middle East and beyond. Analysts and international correspondents are examining the political, military, and diplomatic consequences of this pivotal moment.