Iranian state media have confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, following airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Saturday morning at his residence in Tehran. Khamenei, who has been the highest religious authority in the country since 1989 and held significant power over both religious and secular institutions, was 86 years old at the time of his death. His assassination marks a critical turning point for the Islamic Republic, with many analysts predicting a subsequent increase in power of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the European Union.

Following the confirmation of Khamenei's death, a 40-day mourning period has been declared in Iran. Protests have erupted in various Iranian cities against the U.S. and Israeli attacks, while in other locations, opponents of the regime are celebrating the demise of a leader who had significantly repressed dissent for nearly 40 years. The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that at least 201 people were killed and 747 injured in the airstrikes, illustrating the scale of the violence accompanying Khamenei's death and the tensions between Iran and the West.

This dramatic development is likely to have far-reaching implications for Iran's internal politics and its foreign relations, particularly with the U.S. and Israel. The potential rise of the Revolutionary Guard could lead to more aggressive policies and retaliation against perceived threats, thereby escalating an already volatile situation in the Middle East. As Iran grapples with this leadership vacuum and the possible shifts in power dynamics, regional observers will be closely monitoring the repercussions of Khamenei's assassination.