Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge, freezes talks as Trump declares Strait of Hormuz ceasefire over
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei pledged to avenge his father’s killing and Iran suspended negotiations hours after President Trump declared the three-week ceasefire dead, while diplomats gathered in Oman.
Ceasefire collapses after week of strikes
A fragile truce unravelled rapidly this week after the worst military exchange between the United States and Iran since the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 17 June. That MoU had opened a 60-day negotiation window. On Tuesday night, commercial vessels came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington blaming Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The US retaliated with strikes against 85 targets inside Iran, triggering counterstrikes that continued through Thursday.
By Wednesday, President Trump was already hinting the ceasefire was near its end. On Friday he posted on social media that Iran had been informed “in absolutely clear terms that the ceasefire is over”.
- Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli airstrikes.
- US and Iran sign MoU, opening 60-day window for negotiations.
- Commercial ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz; IRGC blamed.
- US retaliates with strikes on 85 targets in Iran.
- Trump hints ceasefire is nearing its end.
- Trump declares the ceasefire over on social media.
- Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge; Iran says no talks until US backtracks.
New supreme leader threatens retaliation
Hours later, Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public statement since funeral ceremonies for his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The elder Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February. In a message circulated on his Telegram account, the younger Khamenei called revenge an undeniable demand.
Revenge is a demand of our nation and must be carried out.
He added that those responsible for the killing are “known and recorded” and would not die peacefully. “We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyr leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminals and dishonored murderers,” the statement said.
Iran shuts the door on direct talks
On Saturday, the Fars news agency quoted a source inside the negotiating team saying Iran would not return to the table until Washington reverses its position. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei repeated that Tehran had made no request to resume dialogue, contradicting claims by President Trump. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that Iran had observed the truce while the US had broken its spirit by reimposing economic sanctions.
So far, Iran has kept its word. The American side made a new violation, which adds to a series of wrong actions. There can be no respect without reciprocity.
Oman channel remains active
Despite the freeze, diplomats were already meeting in Oman. Araghchi had arrived in Muscat for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. Top US officials were also expected: Vice President Jay D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Washington’s opening demands were for Tehran to publicly guarantee free passage through the strait and to acknowledge that recent tanker attacks were a mistake. US media reported that Iranian officials privately conceded the attacks had been staged by an uncontrollable hardline faction.
