Iran’s supreme leader pledges revenge for slain father and predecessor
July 11 (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei threatened in a written statement on Saturday to avenge the deaths of his predecessor and father, but added that it would be up to not only Iran but also “free people around the world.”
In the religious leader’s first public message since the funeral ceremonies for his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, began a week ago, the statement read on state television said revenge was “the demand of the nation” and must “absolutely” take place.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, at the beginning of the war.
The statement said, “We promise to avenge the blood of the leader who was martyred in these two wars and all the martyrs from the guilty and disgraced murderers.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, who senior sources say suffered facial disfigurement and other injuries during the attack, has not been seen by Iranians since his appointment as religious leader on March 8.
“Whether we are there or not, this will be achieved, and soon every free person on earth will fulfill a part of this divine mission,” the statement said.
Mutual attacks between US and Iranian forces this week have raised doubts about a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending a four-month war. Iran says the deal will ultimately yield major economic benefits.
Despite the recent flare-up, US President Donald Trump announced the end of the ceasefire and said on Friday that the two countries agreed to continue negotiations.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence from the public eye (no photographs, videos or audio recordings of him have been released since the airstrike) has increased the uncertainties facing Iran; Some Iranians say the new leader should be seen even if he is injured.
He became a religious leader with the support of the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled for 37 years, has been buried at the country’s holiest shrine, state media said on Friday, after large crowds gathered for his funeral.
(Reporting by Enas Alashray, Ahmed Elimam; Editing by Thomas Perry, Tomasz Janowski and Joe Bavier)
