Multiple targets are attacked and an explosion occurs in Tehran, Iran on February 28, 2026. Photo: ICAccording to Mehr News Agency on Sunday, the Iranian government issued a statement following the martyrdom of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowing to make the enemies "pay a heavy price" with "all its strength and determination." The statement declared a 40-day period of national mourning and a 7-day shutdown of public institutions, Xinhua News Agency reported.The US and Iran launched large air strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Saturday local time, prompting retaliatory operations from Iran.The latest Iranian government statement came after the news of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death. "Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before," the Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday. "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"

Source: CNN March 01, 2026 15:00 UTC