An Iranian state television anchor was visibly emotional as he delivered the news of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, who passed away on Saturday.

Struggling to maintain composure, the anchor announced, “God is great. God is great. With profound sadness, we inform the Iranian nation that Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred today in a joint criminal attack by the United States and the Zionist regime,” before tears overcame him.

Others can be heard crying off screen in the studio as the newsreader announces Khamenei’s death to the nation.

Officials declared that there would be 40 days of mourning for the 86-year-old, who was killed at his compound along side his daughter, son-in-law and grandson.