Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, the wife of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, died on Monday from injuries sustained in the attack that killed her husband on Saturday, Iranian media reported.
Bagherzadeh, 79, had been in a coma since the attack, according to the Tasnim news agency.
A Tumultuous Week in the Middle East
The death of Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh follows the death of her husband, Ali Khamenei, who had been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989. Prior to becoming Supreme Leader, Khamenei served as President of Iran from 1981 to 1989. A constitutional reform was required for Khamenei, who was not an ayatollah, to assume the role of Supreme Leader.
The attack that killed Khamenei and led to Bagherzadeh’s death has resulted in more than 550 deaths in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, including several ministers and high-ranking military officials. Iran has responded with missile and drone launches against Israel and U.S. Bases in the region.
Born in Mashhad in 1939, Khamenei came from a clerical family and studied in the religious cities of Najaf, Iraq, and Qom, Iran. He was a follower of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and opposed the regime of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, leading to his imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ali Khamenei?
Ali Khamenei was the Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989 until his death on Saturday. Prior to that, he served as the President of Iran from 1981 to 1989.
What caused Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh’s death?
Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh died on Monday from injuries sustained in the same attack that killed her husband, Ali Khamenei, on Saturday. She had been in a coma since the attack.
What has been the response to the attack?
The attack has resulted in over 550 deaths in Iran, and Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones against Israel and U.S. Bases in the region.
As Iran grapples with the loss of its Supreme Leader and his wife, what impact will these events have on the country’s future political landscape and regional relationships?
