Bhubaneswar, March 1 -- Iran is entering a historic and uncertain political transition following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East. His death marks only the second change of leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Iranian state has declared 40 days of mourning and seven days of public holiday, according to international media reports.

A three-person council will temporarily oversee leadership duties during the transition, comprising the country's president, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council. The council will manage affairs until the appointment of a new Supreme Leader, sig...