Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge for slain father, says perpetrators ‘will not die peacefully’

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declaring that retaliation is “the demand of the nation” and “must certainly take place”.

In a written message issued on the occasion of Ali Khamenei’s funeral, his son pledged to continue his father’s legacy and warned that those responsible for his death would face retribution.

“We pledge to avenge the pure blood of Ali Khamenei and all those martyred in these two wars from the criminal and dishonourable murderers,” he said. “This revenge is the demand of our nation, and it must inevitably be carried out.”

The new Iranian leader added that the perpetrators had been identified and would not escape accountability.

“These criminals, whose names are known from top to bottom, will go to their graves without ever realising their wish of dying peacefully in their beds,” he said, while stressing that the pursuit of revenge would continue regardless of who held office.

“This does not depend on my personal presence or that of any other official. Whether we are here or not, this will be accomplished. Soon, free people around the world will each fulfil a part of this divine mission.”

The statement, steeped in religious symbolism, repeatedly linked Ali Khamenei’s death to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) at Karbala and described the late leader as having lived and died in the spirit of Hussain (RA).

Mojtaba portrayed his father’s killing as an event that had awakened the Iranian nation and strengthened what he described as the path of the Islamic Revolution founded by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

He also thanked the millions of mourners who attended funeral ceremonies across Iran and Iraq, describing their participation as “historic” and defiant in the face of Iran’s enemies.

Addressing his late father directly, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to preserve his legacy, remain steadfast in pursuing his policies and seek justice for those killed in what he referred to as the “two wars”.

The message concluded with prayers for the Iranian people, the families of those killed and what he described as an imminent victory for the Iranian nation.