Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has pledged to retaliate over the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying revenge is a “national demand” that will inevitably be carried out.
Mojtaba made the declaration in a written message released on Saturday during funeral events in Tehran, marking his first official statement since the burial ceremonies for his father commenced last week.
In the message, the newly appointed leader vowed that Iran would seek justice for those killed in recent conflicts, stating that the country would avenge “the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs” of the wars against what he described as “criminal and disgraced killers.”
He further said the task of retaliation would not be limited to Iran alone, but would involve supporters of Tehran and “free people around the world.”
“Whether we are present or not, this will happen, and soon every free person around the world will carry out a part of this divine mission,” he said.
Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 37 years, was reportedly killed in a joint United States-Israeli airstrike on February 28, an attack that escalated into a four-month confrontation between Iran and its rivals. His son, Mojtaba, was named his successor on March 8, reportedly with the support of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Since taking over the country’s top leadership position, Mojtaba Khamenei has largely remained out of public view. Reports suggested he sustained injuries, including facial wounds, during the strike that killed his father, raising questions about his health and leadership capacity.
His statement comes as uncertainty continues over a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Recent military exchanges have threatened the truce, though U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that both sides had agreed to maintain diplomatic discussions.
Ali Khamenei was buried on Friday at Iran’s most revered shrine, following widespread funeral processions attended by hundreds of thousands of mourners nationwide.
The vow of retaliation from Iran’s new supreme leader is likely to intensify concerns across the Middle East, as observers warn that any revenge action could further threaten the ceasefire and hinder ongoing diplomatic efforts.