“Revenge is our nation’s will”: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge for father’s killing | Today’s news
Rhetoric between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Saturday after Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while US President Donald Trump warned that any attempt on his life would trigger a devastating military response.
The exchange came days after renewed military strikes disrupted an interim deal aimed at ending months of conflict between Washington and Tehran, with regional mediators continuing to try to revive diplomacy.
Khamenei vows revenge for killing his father
In his first public message since the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran remains determined to avenge the death of his father in US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.
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Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to seek revenge for the killing of his father, declaring that “Revenge is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out.”
Tensions have escalated following renewed US military strikes following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, along with Khamenei’s vow of revenge.
President Trump has warned that the US military is ready to respond with overwhelming force, declaring that “1,000 missiles are locked and loaded” if Iran makes any assassination attempt against him.
Given the history of escalated rhetoric and past threats, it is reasonable to view Iran’s threats as serious, especially in light of recent statements by both Khamenei and Trump.
Diplomatic efforts continue with mediation from Qatar as the two nations engage in talks despite heightened military tensions and mutual threats.
“Revenge is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out,” Khamenei said in a written message.
Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader after his father was killed in late February. He had remained out of the public eye since before the war.
He emphasized that the quest for revenge will continue regardless of leadership changes.
“This matter does not depend on my personal existence or that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will happen.”
Khamenei also claimed that Iran had prepared a list of individuals to be targeted, but did not name any names.
Trump warns of ‘total decimation’
Hours before Khamenei’s statement, Trump issued a strong warning on his Truth Social platform, saying the United States was ready to respond overwhelmingly to any assassination attempt against him.
“1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran … should the Iranian government follow through on its threat … to assassinate or attempt to assassinate the sitting President of the United States.”
Trump added that the US military had already received orders.
“The US military is ready, willing and able… to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran.”
The remarks followed calls during Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral for retaliation against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Diplomacy continues despite escalating rhetoric
Even as both sides traded threats, diplomatic efforts continued.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that a Qatari delegation visited Tehran on Friday in an effort to strengthen Doha’s role as mediator.
Trump has said talks with Iran will continue, but recently called the talks a “waste of time.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that Tehran had complied with the memorandum of understanding signed with Washington last month.
“So far, Tehran has kept its word.”
He added: “Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance.”
The biggest obstacle remains the Strait of Hormuz
One of the main obstacles to a permanent deal remains the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for transporting energy.
Iran closed the strategic waterway to commercial shipping during the conflict in response to US-Israeli strikes and insisted that vessels using the route should operate under Iranian control and pay navigation fees.
Washington rejected the proposal, saying that international law guarantees freedom of navigation through the strait.
Araghchi arrived in Oman on Saturday for talks on the future management of the waterway.
Read also | The Trump administration is increasingly pessimistic about reaching a nuclear deal with Iran
Fresh strikes increase tensions
The latest military escalation began after Iran was accused of attacking three commercial vessels it said had deviated from approved sea routes.
The United States responded with a large-scale bombing campaign targeting approximately 90 locations across Iran, according to the US military.
Iran’s health ministry said the attacks killed 17 people and injured 115 others.
Tehran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks against Gulf countries that host US military bases, further raising regional tensions.
Iran refuses to surrender
Iranian officials have maintained a defiant tone despite the ongoing negotiations.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States, said ending the conflict remained important but ruled out any surrender.
“Ending the war is a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone must know that this confrontation will never end with the surrender of Iran.”
He added that the Iranians were “fully prepared to defend themselves”.
Read also | Europe considers Oman-backed navigation fee plan in Hormuz: Report
