Iran's president says Khamenei’s killing equals war on Muslims, threatens “revenge”

Iran considers it its duty and legitimate right to avenge the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an official statement.

According to Iran’s Al Alam television channel, Pezeshkian declared that the Islamic Republic would hold those responsible accountable.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers revenge against the perpetrators of this crime its duty and legitimate right,” the statement said, as published on the president’s Telegram channel.

Pezeshkian described the killing of Khamenei as a direct act of aggression.

“The assassination of the highest political leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and an outstanding leader of the Shiite world is an open declaration of war against Muslims, especially Shiites worldwide, by the sinister American-Zionist alliance,” the president’s press service quoted him as saying.

The statement comes amid escalating regional tensions following military strikes exchanged between Iran, Israel and the United States since February 28. 

By Khagan Isayev