Ayatollah Khamenei Killed

Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei was killed early Saturday morning in targeted US-Israeli strikes. The Ayatollah was Iran's second Supreme Leader and had held that position since 1989. Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Trump both confirmed him dead from visual imagery and shortly thereafter released speerate statements. The Ayatollah was one of the world's longest reigning dictators and was one of the most brutal and tyrannical. He rose to power following the 1979 Iranian Revolution which deposed the Iranian monarchy and Last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Last Shah is survived by his son and presumed heir, Reza Pahlavi who has been a one of the regime's vocal critics and has emerged as a resistance leader in recent weeks. The Ayatollah's death has created a power vacuum in the nation with no clear successor. A successor, if chosen internally, may have to contend with a similar situation as in Venezuela where the administration was able to successfully demand concessions from the incoming administration.

Iranians at home and abroad took to the streets to celebrate the Ayatollah's death with some marking it as a moment of liberation.

US Democrats have however come out rebuking the Trump administration for starting a war and disrupting a nation's sovereignty. Notable Democrats, New York Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, and House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jefferies have all condemned the strikes as an illegal, dangerous war that is risking the lives of American Service members.

International world leaders have not yet released statements on the Ayatollah's death.