Addressing the nation on Sunday (local time), Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran’s armed forces would “disappoint the enemies” and added that they were currently “crushing enemy bases,” the BBC reported.
Pezeshkian’s speech came a day after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on Saturday. Pezeshkian expressed his condolences over Khamenei’s death and announced the formation of an interim leadership council, adding that they had begun their work.
He said: “The Interim Leadership Council has begun its work… we will continue with all our might on the path set by Imam Khomeini.”
According to state media there, Pezeshkian is one of three officials on the council. The other two are chief court cleric Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei and Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi, the AP reported.
Before airing Pezeshkian’s recorded message, he shared a post on X in which he said the recent attack “will not undermine the determination of the government of the Islamic Republic to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.” He further said that the “sadness” of the death of the country’s supreme leader “will remain in people’s minds” for a long time.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a new supreme leader would be chosen in “one or two days”.
Iran vows revenge after Khamenei’s death
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said in a televised address on Sunday: “You have crossed our red line and you must pay the price,” and that “we will deal such devastating blows that you yourself will be forced to beg.”
Earlier today, Pezeshkian said in a statement that Khamenei’s killing was a “declaration of war against Muslims,” adding that it was the right and duty of the Islamic Republic to avenge Khamenei’s killing. “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime,” AFP reported.
Iran’s supreme leader was killed in the attacks
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting key locations across the country. Khamenei’s death was confirmed by state media on Sunday, after which Tehran observes 40 days of mourning.
The death of 86-year-old Khamenei has left Iran without a supreme leader. Khamenei, who ruled the country for 36 years, was killed on Saturday morning at his compound in Tehran.
Wider conflict in the Middle East?
After the United States and Israel launched strikes targeting key locations in Iran, Tehran retaliated by attacking American bases in Middle Eastern countries, plunging the Middle East region into a wider and renewed military conflict. Explosions were heard in major cities, including Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Dubai and Manama.
Air traffic has also been suspended in the region, with many countries announcing the closure of their airspace.
