The Iranian government has officially declared a 40-day period of nationwide mourning following the death of the country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Iranian state television, that the authorities have also implemented a seven-day public holiday across the country, during which all government offices and public institutions will remain closed.
Ali Khamenei had served as the second Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini. As the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, the Supreme Leader holds ultimate control over the state's political, religious, and military affairs. This transition marks a significant moment for the region, as the process for selecting a successor involves the Assembly of Experts, a body of Islamic jurists tasked with appointing the next leader to guide the nation's domestic and foreign policy.
