Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has publicly declared the need for vengeance following the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement broadcast on state television, he emphasized that this desire for retribution reflects the “will of the nation.” This marks his first public communication since the commencement of his father’s funeral ceremonies earlier this week.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 86, tragically lost his life in an airstrike on February 28, coinciding with the onset of the US-Israeli war against Iran. In response to the escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, asserting that any Iranian intentions to harm him would result in the US “decimating and destroying all areas” of Iran.
These threats followed a series of retaliatory strikes between the US and Iran, triggered by attacks on three commercial tankers, allegedly carried out by Iran. The situation has intensified, leading Trump to announce the end of the ceasefire while still expressing a commitment to ongoing diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
Ali Khamenei was laid to rest in his hometown of Mashhad on Friday after nearly a week of mourning. Although his son has remained out of the public eye since before the war, rumors suggest he may have suffered injuries in the strike that took his father’s life. Nevertheless, his resolute statement on Saturday made clear his unwavering stance.
“We pledge to avenge the blood of our martyred leader and all those who have fallen in these two wars at the hands of the criminal and disgraceful perpetrators,” he affirmed. “Vengeance is the will of our nation and must be fulfilled. This matter does not hinge on my presence or that of other officials. Regardless of our existence, it will come to fruition.”
He further stated that those responsible “will carry the desire for a peaceful death in their beds to their graves.”
Calls for Trump’s assassination surfaced during the funeral proceedings. In the early hours of Saturday, Trump reacted to reports of an alleged Iranian plan to kill him, reiterating that the US would “completely decimate and destroy all areas” of Iran in retaliation.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal and other outlets indicated that Israel had provided intelligence to Washington regarding a recent Iranian plot to assassinate the US president. However, Trump refuted claims of a new plan from Tehran and dismissed the notion that Israel was the source of any intelligence. He remarked to the New York Post that he has long been “No. 1 on Iran’s kill list.”
Amidst the ongoing threats, efforts to revive diplomatic talks continue, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi currently engaged in discussions in Oman. US officials have communicated through intermediaries a demand for Iran to publicly affirm that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route, remains open and to cease attacks on commercial vessels.
According to US media, Iran acknowledged that the recent attacks on tankers were a mistake, attributing them to a rogue internal faction. This incident led to a series of US strikes targeting approximately 90 locations across Iran, resulting in reported casualties of 17 dead and 115 injured, as stated by Iran’s Health Ministry. Iran retaliated with strikes against US allies in the Gulf.
The conflict erupted with US and Israeli assaults on February 28, prompting Iran to retaliate against US and Israeli targets and allies in the region. In June, both nations had agreed to a ceasefire, which included provisions for Iran to ensure safe passage for commercial ships.
