Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian formally declared it the "legitimate duty" of the Islamic Republic to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. The President’s statement, released through state media early Sunday, stressed the joint US-Israel military strikes as a "cowardly act of aggression" that violates international law and sovereign boundaries.
President Pezeshkian said that Iran’s response would be calculated but decisive, asserting that the "enemies of the Revolution" committed a strategic error that will result into grave consequences for their interests in the region. He maintained that the assassination of the 86-year-old cleric, who had ruled since 1989, would not weaken the state’s resolve but would instead unify the "Axis of Resistance" across the Middle East.
Pezeshkian Calls For Global Condemnation Of US-Israel Strikes
The vow for vengeance comes as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated "Operation Truthful Promise 4," a retaliatory campaign involving waves of missiles and Shahed drones targeting US military installations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. Pezeshkian called upon the global community to condemn the lawlessness of the US and Israel, warning that silence in the face of such strikes would only invite further instability.
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In a further blow to the regime, Iranian said that the strikes also claimed the lives of several of Khamenei's family members, including his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild. Reports also indicate the death of senior figures such as IRGC Commander General Mohammad Pakpour and security adviser Ali Shamkhani, signaling a massive "decapitation strike" against the Iranian leadership.
Iran To Hold 40 Days Of Mourning
To honor the fallen leader, Pezeshkian officially declared a 40-day period of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday. During this time, he assured the public that the state remains operational under a temporary Leadership Council, which includes himself, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and cleric Alireza Arafi. He concluded his address by stating that blood of the "martyr" would ensure the ultimate victory of the Iranian people in their long-standing confrontation with Western powers.