Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, warning that retaliation is inevitable despite renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent another escalation in the Middle East.
In his first public message since assuming leadership following the death of Ali Khamenei in late February, Mojtaba Khamenei declared that revenge was the will of the Iranian people and would eventually be carried out.
“Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out,” he said in a written statement.
He added that the planned response was not dependent on any individual leader remaining in office.
“This matter depends neither on my personal existence nor on that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will come to pass,” he wrote, while claiming Iran had compiled a list of individuals to be targeted.
His remarks came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned that any attempt to assassinate him would trigger overwhelming military retaliation against Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said 1,000 missiles were “locked and loaded” and aimed at Iran, adding that US forces were prepared to “completely decimate and destroy” the country if Tehran acted on any assassination threats.
The renewed war of words follows fresh exchanges of fire that have strained an interim agreement intended to end the conflict that began in late February after large-scale US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Despite the heightened tensions, mediators are continuing efforts to revive diplomacy. Iranian media reported that a Qatari delegation visited Tehran on Friday, while Pakistan has also stepped up mediation efforts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Tehran had honoured its commitments under last month’s memorandum of understanding with Washington, saying there could only be progress through “mutual compliance.”
Hormuz dispute remains key obstacle
A major sticking point in negotiations remains the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran closed the strategic waterway during the conflict in response to US-Israeli attacks and has since proposed charging vessels to use the passage, insisting it will no longer allow unrestricted navigation.
The United States has rejected the proposal, arguing that international law does not permit states to impose tolls on straits used for international navigation.
Araghchi travelled to Oman on Saturday for talks on managing the waterway, while reports indicated Washington had given Tehran until Saturday to halt attacks on commercial shipping and recognise that the strait remains open.
Earlier this week, the United States launched strikes on around 90 targets across Iran after accusing Tehran of attacking three commercial vessels. Iranian authorities said the strikes killed 17 people and injured 115.
The attacks also triggered Iranian reprisals against Gulf states hosting American military bases.
Although Qatar and Pakistan continue to push for de-escalation, Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, insisted the country would not surrender.
“Ending the war is a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone must know that this confrontation will never end with Iran’s surrender,” he said.
