On the morning of February 28, 2026 (9 Esfand 1404), Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, was killed in a joint U.S.–Israeli airstrike in Tehran. The strike was part of a broader military operation targeting the leadership structure of the Islamic Republic at the beginning of the 2026 Iran war. According to international media reports and confirmations by Iranian state media, Khamenei’s residence in Tehran was struck during the initial wave of attacks, and he was killed in the strike. Following confirmation of his death, the Iranian government declared 40 days of national mourning. The operation was widely described as a “decapitation strike”, intended to eliminate the top leadership of the regime and weaken the command structure of the Islamic Republic. Reports indicated that several members of Khamenei’s family and close associates were also killed in the attack, including: - Boshra Khamenei (his daughter) - Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani (his granddaughter) - Mesbah Bagheri Kani (a member of the extended family) - Zahra Haddad-Adel (a relative by marriage) In addition, reports indicated that dozens of senior Iranian security and military officials were killed in the first wave of strikes. Some sources reported that more than 40 high-ranking regime officials and IRGC commanders were eliminated in the operation. Khamenei’s death marked one of the most significant turning points in the history of the Islamic Republic. Following the strike: - Iran declared 40 days of national mourning. - According to Article 111 of the Constitution, an Interim Leadership Council was formed to temporarily govern the country. - The Assembly of Experts convened to select a new Supreme Leader. Under the constitution, the interim council consisted of: - Masoud Pezeshkian – President of Iran - Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei – Head of the Judiciary - Alireza Arafi – Guardian Council jurist selected by the Expediency Discernment Council The council temporarily exercised the powers of the Supreme Leader until a new leader was chosen. A few days later, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, was selected by the Assembly of Experts as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei’s death became one of the major turning points in the Iranian crisis and war of 1404, significantly reshaping the political and military dynamics within Iran. According to Islamic Republic sources, this observance is registered and presented in the official calendar in this form and with these descriptions.
