Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s passing has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, where his official account shared a tribute to his legacy. The post included a quote from the Quran, “O Allah, You are the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,” alongside a reference to verse 23 of Surah Al-Ahzab, which highlights the importance of keeping one’s promises. Following Khamenei’s passing, Iran’s government announced a 7-day nationwide mourning period and 40 days of national mourning.
In a significant development, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that the late Supreme Leader’s legacy would be remembered for centuries to come. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for launching four ballistic missiles at the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf, which was later denied by US officials.
China condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader as a severe violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, while the Catholic Church expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israel claimed that it had targeted the Iranian military’s central headquarters in a new wave of airstrikes on Tehran on Sunday morning, destroying an F-4 and an F-5 aircraft.
In a statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the incident as a “gross violation of human ethics and international law.” The UAE’s defense ministry released a detailed report on the Iranian attacks and damages incurred. Protests erupted outside the US consulate, with crowds attempting to storm the building and throwing stones.
Amid the crisis, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov over the phone. The UAE’s national security adviser, Anwar Gargash, advised the Iranian government to take a cautious approach. The UAE announced that multiple people were injured in a missile strike on the city of Dubai. Initial plans were to carry out the attack during the night, but the Iranian government’s compound in Tehran was reportedly hosting an emergency meeting, prompting the decision to carry out the attack in the morning.
The situation remains fluid, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards claiming responsibility for targeting the US aircraft carrier and China condemning the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader as a severe breach of international law. As the crisis deepens, world leaders are calling for calm and urging restraint.
