A statue of Iran's late Supreme Leader was toppled in Iran following the dictator's elimination yesterday, footage posted to social media shows.
In the footage, a crowd of demonstrators can be seen gathered around the statue. The crowd broke out in cheers as the statue toppled over.
Khamenei ruled Iran for over 35 years, since 1989. His regime was noted for its oppression and extremism. In January, Iranian forces massacred thousands of protesters who demonstrated against the regime. Credible reports put the death toll at over 36,000 in just a few days.
Official media outlets in Iran confirmed early Sunday morning that Ali Khamenei was eliminated in joint strikes by the US and Israel.
The reports stated that “Khamenei was assassinated in his office during the morning hours on Saturday."
In addition, 40 days of mourning were declared following the death of the Supreme Leader.
Reuters reported that Israel and the United States timed their strike on Iran on Saturday to coincide with a meeting being held by the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with senior aides.
Khamenei was eliminated along with other senior Iranian officials, including Ali Shamkhani, the former secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, and Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Khamenei met on Saturday with Shamkhani and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani at a secure location shortly before the strikes began.