Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that Iran will retaliate for the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that revenge is both their “right and responsibility.” In his first official reaction since the killing, the President described Khamenei as the supreme political authority of Iran and a pre-eminent leader of the global Shia community.
“This is seen as an open declaration of war against Muslims worldwide, especially Shias,” Pezeshkian stated. He warned that Iran would respond with all its might and that the perpetrators behind the attack would “regret their actions.” The statement further added that the “sacred blood of the distinguished leader will not go in vain” and will mark a new chapter in Islamic and Shia history. Following the death, Iran has declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day national holiday.
In the interim, Ayatollah Arafi has been appointed as the country’s acting Supreme Leader. An interim council, consisting of Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, will oversee the official selection of a successor. Additionally, Iran has appointed former Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi as the new head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
