Iran’s Supreme Leader vows revenge for slain father, says retribution ‘must certainly’ come

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

The pledge was contained in a written message issued on Saturday for funeral ceremonies held in Tehran, marking Mojtaba Khamenei’s first public communication since his father’s funeral rites began last week.

In the statement, the new supreme leader promised that Iran would pursue justice for those killed during the conflict, saying, “We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers.”

Mojtaba Khamenei added that the responsibility for avenging his father’s death would not rest solely on Iran but would also involve “free people around the world.”

“Whether we are there or not, this will be accomplished, and soon every free person around the world will fulfill a part of this divine mission,” he said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 37 years, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, an attack that triggered a four-month conflict between Iran and its adversaries. His son, Mojtaba, was appointed supreme leader on March 8 with the backing of the influential Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Despite assuming the country’s highest office, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the attack. Reports indicate he suffered facial injuries and other wounds during the same strike that killed his father, fuelling speculation about his health and ability to lead.

The statement comes amid renewed uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Fresh exchanges of attacks this week have cast doubt on the truce, although U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that both countries had agreed to continue diplomatic talks.

Ali Khamenei was laid to rest on Friday at Iran’s holiest shrine after massive funeral processions drew hundreds of thousands of mourners across the country.

The latest declaration by Iran’s new supreme leader is expected to heighten tensions in the Middle East, with analysts warning that Tehran’s vow of revenge could further complicate efforts to preserve the ceasefire and revive diplomatic engagement.