Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has praised the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei as a fighter against killers of innocent children and women in war-torn Gaza and other places in the world.

Mr Gumi, who reacted to the killing of Mr Khamanei in a tarse Facebook post on Sunday, described the supreme leader as a lucky person who died in jihad.

“A lucky soul, he died in Jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elswhere,” Mr Gumi stated. 

The cleric said the blood of the assassinated Iranian leader would be a catalyst required for change in the Islamic Ummah.

“His blood will fuel the change in the ummah. He stood firmly for Justice and didn’t hide in bunkers. For those who killed him or assisted in killing him, let us see what they will live to do in this world,” he added.

Mr Khamenei was killed in his office after it was hit by missiles on Saturday.

Iran state-owned and other local media on Sunday later confirmed that he was assassinated in the attack on Saturday, noting a 40-day mourning period had been declared for the leader, who reigned over Iran for over three decades.

The state media added that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s head of the judiciary, will lead a temporary leadership council to oversee the country’s transitional phase following Mr Khamenei’s assassination.