Iran’s state television has officially announced that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s Supreme Leader, has died. The announcement was made early Sunday on state airwaves with authorities declaring a period of mourning across the country.

According to the state broadcaster, Khamenei, who was 86 years old, died at his office after a wave of military strikes hit Tehran and other parts of Iran. The broadcast included archival footage and a black mourning banner on screen. Officials did not immediately give further details on the exact circumstances or timing of his death.

The Iranian government has announced 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holiday, with religious ceremonies planned nationwide to honor the long-time leader.

Khamenei had led Iran since 1989, holding ultimate authority over the country’s political, religious and military affairs for more than three decades. His rule shaped Iran’s domestic and foreign policy, including its stance toward the United States and Israel, and its support for allied groups across the Middle East.

This announcement follows earlier claims by the United States and Israeli leaders that Khamenei was killed in joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory during a major military escalation that began on Saturday. Iranian officials blamed those strikes for his death, describing it as martyrdom, though state media did not explicitly detail that link in its confirmation.

Khamenei’s death marks a critical moment for Iran’s political system. Under the constitution, the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body, is expected to convene soon to select his successor. Exactly who will lead next remains uncertain amid rising tensions and deep social divisions within the country.

International reactions are mixed, with some world leaders calling for de-escalation while others worry that his death could intensify conflict across the Middle East and beyond.