‘Nation’s demand’: Iran’s supreme leader pledges revenge for slain father, predecessor

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying retribution is “the demand of the nation” and will inevitably take place.

In his first public statement since funeral ceremonies for the late supreme leader began a week ago, Khamenei said the responsibility for revenge rests not only with Iran but also with “free people around the world.”

“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all those killed in these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” the statement said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28 at the start of the conflict.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly sustained facial injuries and other wounds in the strike, has not appeared in public since assuming the position of supreme leader on March 8. No photographs, videos or audio recordings of him have been released since the attack, fuelling speculation and calls within Iran for a public appearance.

The statement asserted that revenge would be carried out regardless of his personal presence, adding that supporters across the world would contribute to what it described as a “divine mission.”

The remarks come amid renewed tensions following exchanges of attacks between U.S. and Iranian forces, casting uncertainty over a ceasefire aimed at ending the four-month conflict. Although U.S. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire had collapsed, he said on Friday that Washington and Tehran had agreed to continue diplomatic talks.

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father with the backing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 37 years, was buried at the country’s holiest shrine following large funeral processions, according to state media.