Mojtaba Khamenei vows to avenge father Ali Khamenei's death after funeral
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declaring that those responsible would face retribution.
In his first public message following the funeral ceremonies of the late Iranian leader, Mojtaba Khamenei said avenging his father's death was the demand of the Iranian nation and pledged to continue his legacy.
"The blood of the martyr will not go unanswered," Mojtaba said in a statement released after the funeral, adding that Iran would pursue justice against those responsible for the assassination.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly four decades, was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike earlier this year, triggering a major leadership transition and escalating tensions across the Middle East. Mojtaba Khamenei was subsequently appointed as Iran's new Supreme Leader.
The statement came after days of funeral ceremonies attended by millions of mourners across Iran. Crowds at the funeral also raised slogans calling for revenge, reflecting widespread public anger over the former leader's death.
Mojtaba, who has remained largely out of public view since assuming office, has not made a public appearance during the funeral ceremonies, reportedly due to security concerns following the assassination of his father.
The latest remarks are expected to further heighten tensions in the region at a time when diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel remain fragile.
