Iranian state television has announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the nation shortly, as the country grapples with the aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in joint US-Israel strikes on February 28, 2026, and ongoing retaliatory actions.
The anticipated speech comes at a critical juncture: Iran has confirmed Khamenei’s killing, declared a 40-day mourning period with seven public holidays, and formed an interim leadership council including Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and cleric Arafi to oversee the transition until a new supreme leader is selected. Pezeshkian, who previously confirmed he and Khamenei were “safe and sound” in earlier Foreign Ministry statements, has already condemned the strikes as a “great crime” and a “declaration of war against Muslims,” vowing that Iran has a “legitimate duty and right” to avenge the supreme leader’s death.
This follows Pezeshkian’s earlier statements branding Khamenei’s assassination a “historic crime” and emphasizing Iran’s determination to pursue justice. The speech is expected amid continued missile exchanges, with Iran launching attacks on US bases in the Gulf (Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain) and Israel renewing strikes on Tehran and other sites.