Sea of mourning &#8211; Thousands in Tehran mark 40 days since killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei

Article by Viory

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Thursday to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was slain in the first wave of US–Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Similar gatherings have taken place across Iranian cities in recent days, with mourners commemorating the former leader and expressing support for the government following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday via Truth Social that he had approved a two-week suspension of attacks on Iran, on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened ‘immediately’ and ‘fully’, just hours before a deadline he had set for a deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country’s armed forces would ‘halt defensive operations’ if attacks stopped, adding that Iran would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks “in coordination with the Iranian armed forces.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Iranian and US delegations are expected to meet in Islamabad on Friday, April 10, to continue negotiations towards a final agreement.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on February 28. Tehran responded with strikes targeting Israeli and US military sites across the region, with reports of explosions in several Gulf countries.

The conflict has also drawn in Hezbollah, which said it joined the fighting in retaliation for Khamenei’s killing, while shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have faced disruption following its closure.

Article by Viory