Khamenei news highlights: Protests erupt in India, Pak, Iraq after Khamenei's death; 9 killed in Karachi

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• The Iranian state media earlier today announced that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US Israeli strikes. As per Iranian state media reports, the Supreme leader was killed in the early hours of Saturday in his office.

• Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) warned of a 'a severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment' over Khamenei's killing. State run Fars news agency said the IRGC said it is launching what it called “the most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic”.

• Following this, a temporary leadership council assumed duties. It comprises Iran’s sitting president, the head of the country’s judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran’s Expediency Council. Alireza ⁠Arafi, a ⁠cleric member of the Guardian Council, was appointed to the council on Sunday.

• Thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday in the centre of Iran's capital after the death of Khamenei. 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, AFP reported.

• The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader. "Undoubtedly, the grave consequences of this unforgivable crime shall fall directly upon the criminal US regime and the occupying Zionist regime, who bear full responsibility for all resulting repercussions,” the Embassy said.

• Nine people were killed in Karachi, Pakistan after protests broke out outside the US consulate in the city, Reuters news agency reported.

• In India, protests were seen in Jammu and Kashmir and Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. In J&K, the city of Srinagar came to a standstill with shops closed and public transport suspended due to the mass movement.

Khamenei news live: China strongly condemned and opposed the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the Israel and US.

“The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it,” China's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

China urged for an “immediate stop” to military operations, and called for “no further escalation” of the already tense situation.

Khamenei news live: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Sunday said that with the Supreme Leader removed, “there is renewed hope” for people of Iran, Reuters news agency reported.

Leyen further said there was need to ensure “that future is theirs to claim and shape.”

Khamenei news live: Iran had earlier today formed a council to assume leadership duties and govern the country, comprising Iran’s sitting president, the head of the country’s judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran’s Expediency Council.

Alireza ⁠Arafi, a ⁠cleric member of the Guardian Council, was appointed to the council. The body is tasked with ulfilling the ‌supreme leader’s role until the Assembly of Experts elects a new leader, Al Jazeera reported.

⁠Arafi will be ⁠part of the ⁠temporary Leadership Council alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian ‌and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.

Khamenei news live: Israel's military Sunday said it was “not aware” of any Israeli or US strike on a school in Iran, which the Iranian authorities had said killed over 100 people on Saturday.

“At this point not aware of an Israeli or an American strike there... We're operating in an extremely accurate manner,” Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani.

Khamenei news live: Israeli President Isaac Herzog Sunday said that the ongoing confrontation was “a historic effort to change the trajectory in the Middle East” for a different “future of peace.”

“We shall overcome and hopefully bring a new era to the Middle East and Iran,” Herzog said, according to AFP.

Khamenei news live: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by US and Israel a “cynical violation” of morality and law.

The Kremlin on Sunday published a letter Putin sent to Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing his “deepest condolences.” He said the killing was carried out “in a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law”, AFP reported.

Khamenei news live: People took to streets in Bengaluru, Karnataka to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint strike by the United States and Israel on Saturday.

Khamenei news live: Nine people were killed in Karachi, Pakistan after protests broke out outside the US consulate in the city, Reuters news agency reported.

This came after US and Israeli strikes on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Protestors were later pushed back from the consulate, Reuters cited a spokesman for the local government as saying.

Khamenei news live: At lest eight people have been killed after protestors and security forces clashed in Pakistan outside the US consulate in Karachi.

"We have moved at least eight dead bodies to Karachi's civil hospitals, while 20 others were injured in the consulate incident," Muhammad Amin, a spokesman for the Edhi Foundation rescue service, told AFP, adding most had bullet wounds.

Khamenei news live: Iranian supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a raid conducted by the Israeli Air Force. As per the statement issued by the Israel Defence Forces, Khamenei “was targeted in a precise, large-scale operation carried out by the Israeli Air Force, guided by accurate IDF intelligence, while he was in his central leadership compound in the heart of Tehran, where he was together with additional senior officials.”

Khamenei succession news LIVE: Following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, protests have erupted in Pakistan and Iraq.

In Iraq, security forces stood guarded as protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups gathered near the entrance of the Green Zone and attempted to move toward the US embassy after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Baghdad.

In Pakistan, protestors attacked the US Consulate in Karachi and smashed windows of the building amid the outrage caused by Khamenei's killing.

Khamenei succession news LIVE: Following the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Iraq has also announced three days of mourning.

Khamenei was killed during the joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Saturday. His death was first announced by US President Donald Trump, then confirmed by Iran hours later.

Khamenei succession news LIVE: A recent report by the Council on Foreign Relations, a US-based think tank, listed several figures frequently mentioned as possible successors. These are -

• Hojjat-ol-Eslam Mohsen Qomi - A close adviser to Khamenei, Mohsen Qomi is seen as a trusted insider. Supporters believe his proximity to the late leader could help maintain continuity and stability during a turbulent transition.
• Ayatollah Alireza Arafi - A senior cleric and member of both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, Arafi also heads Iran’s seminary system. According to the council on foreign relations, his appointment would likely preserve the existing political structure.
• Ayatollah Mohsen Araki - A senior member of the Assembly of Experts, Araki has strong religious credentials and is frequently cited in succession discussions.
• Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei - Currently the head of Iran’s judiciary, Mohseni Ejei has held key security and government posts. His administrative experience could carry weight during a period of uncertainty.
• Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri - The Friday prayer leader in Qom and a member of the Assembly of Experts, Bushehri is also considered among the potential contenders.

Khamenei news LIVE: Iranian security officials are moving to begin the process of choosing the next Supreme Leader as early as today.

As quoted by state TV, security chief Ali Larijani said the transition process following the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will begin from Sunday.

"An interim leadership council will soon be formed. The president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the election of the next leader," said Larijani, who is the head of Iran's top security body, the Supreme National Security Council, and an adviser to Khamenei.

"This council will be established as soon as possible. We are working to form it as early as today," he said in an interview.

Khamenei news LIVE: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, describing it as a “martyrdom” following what it called “brutal and criminal attacks” by the United States and Israel.

The Embassy held the United States and Israel responsible for the incident and warned of serious consequences.

“Undoubtedly, the grave consequences of this unforgivable crime shall fall directly upon the criminal US regime and the occupying Zionist regime, who bear full responsibility for all resulting repercussions,” the Embassy said in a post on X.

Khamenei news LIVE: Iran’s IRGC has warned of a 'a severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment' over Khamenei's killing, reports AP.

Citing state-run Fars agency, the IRNA has said it is launching what it called “the most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic”.

The offensive will begin “in just moments” and target the “occupied territories and American terrorist bases” across the region, the statement said.

Khamenei news LIVE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "will not be mourned", as state media in the Islamic republic confirmed he had been killed.

"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.

"He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. His passing will not be mourned."

Khamenei news LIVE: A presenter on Iran's state-affiliated broadcaster Press TV got emotional on air and took visible pauses while announcing what the channel described as the "martyrdom" of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to footage aired by Press TV.

The network reported that Khamenei was killed in what Iranian authorities characterised as an assassination. The visibly emotional anchor struggled to maintain composure while delivering the breaking news, referring to him as the "Leader of the Islamic Revolution."He described the news of the death as "confirmed".

Press TV also aired visuals from the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, where pilgrims were seen reacting with grief upon hearing the announcement.

In Tehran, people gathered at Enghelab Square to mourn, with crowds holding portraits and chanting slogans, the broadcaster reported.

According to Press TV, Iran's government issued a statement warning that the "crime of assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution will not go unpunished" and asserting that the "pure blood of the martyred Leader will uproot the criminal regimes of the US and Israel." (ANI)

Khamenei news LIVE: Thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday in the centre of Iran's capital after the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 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. (AFP)

Khamenei news LIVE: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as “a great crime” and vowed that those responsible would face consequences, according to a statement from his office.

“This great crime will never remain unanswered and will turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism,” the statement said

Pezeshkian said Iran would respond with “all our strength and determination,” warning that the perpetrators and commanders of the attack would come to regret it.

Khamenei news LIVE: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s daughter and grandchild were killed in US-Israeli strikes, Iranian state media reported.

Notably, Iran has not yet confirmed Khamenei's death.

Khamenei news LIVE: Iran is observing 40 days of public mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after death (Arba'een) holds immense spiritual weight.

The death occurred following strikes by the US and Israel (Operation Epic Fury/Lion's Roar) on Saturday. By announcing exactly 40 days of mourning, the government is leaning into a powerful cultural script, providing the clerical establishment time to manage the transition behind closed doors.

The country's Supreme Leader's office has declared a period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and public gatherings planned to pay respects, marking the closing of a 37-year chapter in the Islamic Republic's history.

Ayatollah Khamenei was the successor to the Revolution's founder, Ruhollah Khomeini. Since 1989, his "story" was one of unwavering defiance against Western influence. (ANI)

Khamenei news LIVE: The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after almost 37 years in power raises paramount questions about the country's future.

Here is what to know:

A temporary leadership council assumes duties. As outlined in its constitution, Iran on Sunday formed a council to assume leadership duties and govern the country.

The council is made up of Iran’s sitting president, the head of the country’s judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by Iran’s Expediency Council, which advises the supreme leader and settles disputes with parliament.

Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-line judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei are its members who will step in and “temporarily assume all the duties of leadership.”

A panel of clerics selects a new supreme leader. Though the leadership council will govern in the interim, an 88-member panel called the Assembly of Experts “must, as soon as possible” pick a new supreme leader under Iranian law.

Khamenei's son could be a possible contender (AP)