Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declaring that those responsible "will not escape justice" and promising retaliation in one of his strongest public statements since assuming the country's top leadership.
In a message issued after the funeral and burial of the late supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei described revenge as a national duty and said it reflected the will of the Iranian people. "We pledge to avenge your pure blood and that of all the martyrs... This revenge is the will of our nation and must be carried out without fail," he said.
Although he did not directly name the United States or Israel, his remarks came months after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike that triggered a major regional conflict and reshaped Iran's political leadership. Mojtaba, who succeeded his father as supreme leader, has remained largely out of public view since reportedly sustaining injuries in the same attack.
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In his statement, the new leader praised the massive public turnout at his father's funeral, calling it a demonstration of national unity and resilience. He asserted that those responsible for the assassination would "take with them to their graves the wish for a peaceful death," signalling that Tehran's pursuit of retaliation would continue.
The statement comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The United States has urged Iran to refrain from any actions that could threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while discussions aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire continue.
Mojtaba Khamenei's remarks are expected to further heighten concerns over regional security, with analysts closely watching whether Iran's leadership translates its rhetoric into military or strategic action in the coming weeks.
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