Iran's Supreme Leader Vows to Avenge Slain Father and Predecessor

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, stated on Saturday (July 11, 2026) that avenging his slain predecessor and father is 'the demand of the nation' and 'must certainly' take place, according to a written message released on his Telegram account.

The message was issued on the occasion of funeral ceremonies for his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, months prior.

'We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from those responsible,' Mr. Khamenei said in the message, referring to the perpetrators of the attack.