FROM 3/13/26
Khomeini died at the age of 86 on February 28, 2026. He died during an air strike by the United States against Israel. United States President Donald Trump stated hours earlier on February 28, 2026, that Khomeinei had been killed. The death of Khomeini was announced on March 1 , 2026 by Iranian state television. The government declared 40-day period of mourning after his death. The government also added a seven day nationwide public holiday in honor of his death . This announcement stirred up a lot of emotions for the country.
Khomeini is the supreme leader of Iran and came into his position after Ruhollah’s death in 1989. Khomeini was a top leader, regional power house, and a republican of Iran throughout the years. It’s said that he had completely remolded the Islamic Republic. He was one of the longest supreme leaders, who served 36 years. During his ruling, he built the paramilitary revolutionary guard that became the military and business powerhouse. During his ruling he had many opposition movements against him, like student-led protests in 1999 and 2002, and even “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests of 2022.
Some of the people in Iran dressed in all black, weeped, packed into a square for the death of their supreme leader. Other people on social media showed joy and little care about his death, even knocking down monuments. A man on the street said, “Am I dreaming? Hello to the new world?”
From the actions of most people it seems there was some mistake for him and his directions. Before he was ever declared dead in January, hundreds of thousands marched in cities across the country, many chanting “Death to Khomeini.” Regardless of opinions, people now have to worry about what is going to happen next.
After his death, a three person council was formed to hold his power temporarily. This includes Masoud Pezeshkian, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a senior cleric, and Alireza Arafi. The section on the next leader goes to a body of 88 senior clerics. Some potential new leaders are Mojtaba, Basij, Alireza Arafi, Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, Hassan Khomeini, and Vakil. There were other Iranian leaders who studied under Khomeini before his passing. While it seems that these higher powers have things handled after a tragic death, it’s suspected by some that the power in Iran will most likely be exercised behind the scenes by the IRGC.
