Iran pledges revenge for Ali Khamenei's death, claims global support

Iran has pledged to avenge the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a written statement attributed to current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The statement, released on Saturday, declared that vengeance was "the demand of [the Iranian] nation" and vowed to hold the "criminal and disgraced killers" accountable.

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We pledge to avenge your pure blood and the blood of all the martyrs of these two wars by holding their criminal and disgraced killers accountable.

"They must understand that this matter does not depend upon my presence or that of any other officials," the statement read, adding a chilling warning that the perpetrators "will take their dream of dying peacefully in their beds with them to their graves." The statement also suggested that the revenge mission would be carried out by "free people throughout the world."

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They must understand that this matter does not depend upon my presence or that of any other officials.

This vow of revenge comes amid conflicting reports regarding Iran's diplomatic activities. While U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Iran had requested negotiations, CBS News cited U.S. officials stating Iran blamed recent attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on hardliners seeking to sabotage talks. However, Iranian media, including IRGC-affiliated Fars News, cited an informed source disputing these reports, asserting that Iran had not requested negotiations and would not engage until the U.S. changed its stance.

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Soon, free people throughout the world will each carry out part of this divine mission.