The Australian Iranian Community Organisation (AICO) acknowledges reports confirming the death of Ali Khamenei, who served as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1989.

Under the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih, a system of clerical rule that concentrates all political, military and judicial authority in an unelected Supreme Leader, power has, since 1979, been centralised in a single office standing above democratic accountability and institutional oversight.

For nearly half a century, the Islamic Republic has systematically suppressed dissent, imprisoned critics, and used lethal force against its own citizens. The use of live ammunition, torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and crimes against humanity have been well documented by international investigative bodies, including the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, whose mandate has recently been extended in light of the gravity and persistence of recent massacre.

At the same time, the regime diverted vast national resources into the financing of terrorism, military expansion and destabilising regional operations, entrenching systemic corruption and prioritising its security and proxy networks while making ordinary Iranians endure deepening economic hardship, soaring inflation, unemployment and a steady decline in living standards.

This moment presents a historic opportunity for a peaceful and structured transition toward a secular, democratic system grounded in the rule of law and internationally recognised human rights.

AICO expressly supports Prince Reza Pahlavi as a leading transitional democratic figure capable of helping to anchor and guide an orderly transition by convening a broad-based interim framework that safeguards stability, national unity and territorial integrity while preparing the ground for a nationally conducted free, fair and internationally supervised elections. Prince Reza Pahlavi has publicly committed to secular democratic governance, full adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the principle that the ultimate decision regarding Iran’s future political system must rest solely with its people.

We urge:

• Sustained and coordinated international pressure to dismantle the regime’s machinery of violence and repressive apparatus, including the IRGC and affiliated security structures;

• The revocation of diplomatic recognition of the Islamic Republic and clear international delegitimisation of its governing authority;

• The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and detainees;

• The establishment of a broad-based transitional framework led by Prince Reza Pahlavi to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power and prepare the ground for a nationally conducted free, fair and internationally supervised elections;

• Guaranteed protection of civilians and the full restoration of freedoms of expression, assembly and association;

• Unrestricted access to secure communications and internet connectivity for the Iranian people.

AICO stands in solidarity with the people of Iran in their pursuit of freedom, justice, accountability and human dignity.

For media inquiries, please email to:

info@aic.org.au

Public Relations,

Australian-Iranian Community Organisation