Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to punish the "murderers" of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, after his death was confirmed by state television.
"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.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and two top other officials will lead Iran in the transitional period following the death of Khamenei, state television reported.
Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and another official from the country's legal council will be part of the trio overseeing the transition, according to state television which cited Mohammad Mokhber, one of Khamenei's advisors.
Separately, Iran's judiciary confirmed that US and Israeli strikes killed the chief of the Revolutionary Guards and another top security advisor. The Guards' commander, General Mohammad Pakpour, and Ali Shamkhani, the head of the national defence council, were "martyred" in Saturday's attacks, the Iranian judiciary's Mizan online news portal reported.
Iran's state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989.
"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.
(AFP)
(Updated at 11.55am)
