Iran marks 40 days since Supreme Leader Khamenei's assassination in US-Israeli strikes

Iranians gathered across Tehran and major cities on April 9, 2026, marking 40 days since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed alongside his daughter and family members in coordinated US and Israeli military strikes that triggered regional war. The assassination occurred on the conflict's first day, and Khamenei's son Mojtaba succeeded him, though a state funeral remains postponed due to ongoing warfare. This succession represents one of the most significant power transitions in Iran's Islamic Republic history, with major implications for Iranian nuclear policy, regional proxy networks, and US-Iran relations. The rallies signal public response to the leadership change and potential domestic consolidation under the new regime during active conflict.