Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Revenge for Slain Father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declaring that those responsible for his death "must certainly" face retribution.

In his first public message since funeral ceremonies for the late supreme leader began a week ago, Mojtaba Khamenei said revenge would not be carried out by Iran alone but would also involve what he described as "free people around the world."

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, at the outset of the conflict between Iran and Israel, according to Iranian authorities.

"We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers," the statement said.

It added: "Whether we are there or not, this will be accomplished, and soon every free person around the world will fulfill a part of this divine mission."

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since he was appointed Iran's supreme leader on March 8. Senior Iranian sources have reportedly said he sustained facial injuries and other wounds during the same airstrike that killed his father.

His prolonged absence has fuelled speculation inside Iran, with some citizens calling for the country's new leader to make a public appearance, even if injured, to reassure the nation.

His latest remarks come amid renewed uncertainty over a ceasefire that brought an end to the four-month conflict. Recent exchanges involving US and Iranian forces have raised questions about the durability of the truce.

Despite the renewed tensions, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington and Tehran had agreed to continue diplomatic talks.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed Iran's highest office with the backing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following the death of his father, who ruled the Islamic Republic for 37 years before being buried at one of Iran's holiest shrines after a state funeral.