The Temporary Leadership Council in Iran began working to replace Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a Sunday video published by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim News Agency.
"In accordance with Article 111 of the Constitution, the Temporary Leadership Council has begun its work today," Pezeshkian said in the recorded statement.
He also addressed the death of Khamenei, who was killed during the first day of the Israeli-American operation over Iran, saying that "the Iranian people are mourning," and that he "would be avenged."
"The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are taking action, and will continue to take action, with power in destroying the enemies' bases, and as always, they will leave the enemies hopeless," Pezeshkian.
"With the hope of the victory of Muslims over the infidels," he concluded.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arahgchi reportedly told the Qatari outlet Al Jazeera that the Islamic Republic would be electing a new leader in a day or two, while he added that the regime has "no intention to close the Strait of Hormuz."
IRGC claims attack on US aircraft carrier
The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was targeted with four ballistic missiles on Sunday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement reported by state media.
The USS Lincoln is one of two aircraft carriers deployed to the region in recent weeks, and the only one relatively close to Iranian shores.
Reuters contributed to this report.