Khamenei vows 'inevitable' revenge for father's death as US-Iran strikes escalate and Trump threatens to 'destroy' Iran
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed 'inevitable' revenge for his father Ali Khamenei's killing, while Donald Trump threatened to 'decimate and completely destroy' Iran if it attempts to assassinate him, amid the heaviest US-Iran strikes since a June ceasefire.
Khamenei's written pledge
Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement since the funeral of his father, Ali Khamenei, was published on Saturday 11 July. In the message dated Friday, he declared that 'vengeance must be accomplished, inevitably', targeting the United States and Israel for the killing of his father and 'all the martyrs' of two wars. He accused 'criminal and dishonourable assassins' and asserted that the individuals responsible 'are on a list'. The new Supreme Leader was notably absent from the week-long funeral ceremonies held across Iran.
Vengeance must be accomplished, inevitably.
The statement marks a continuation of threats that have defined the conflict. Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes in late February, according to Ouest France, Franceinfo and BFMTV (Le Parisien reports April). The war itself began on 28 February with a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.
Renewed strikes after the ceasefire
This week saw the most intense exchange of fire between Iran and the United States since 17 June, when the two sides signed an accord aimed at ending the war sustainably. That ceasefire now appears fragile. Donald Trump has already declared the truce 'terminated', though he continues to accept dialogue with Tehran. The escalation follows a pattern of violated agreements and mutual accusations.
- War begins with a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.
- Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli strikes (April per Le Parisien).
- Ceasefire accord signed to bring a durable end to the war.
- Heaviest exchange of strikes since the June ceasefire.
- Mojtaba Khamenei writes message vowing inevitable revenge.
- Message published; Trump threatens to destroy Iran if attacked.
Trump's direct warning
On Saturday, Donald Trump responded to the Khamenei threat by warning he would 'decimate and completely destroy' Iran if it attempted an attack on him. The US president reportedly received intelligence from Israel concerning a new plot to eliminate him. The exchange of ultimatums leaves the region on edge, with both capitals signalling readiness for further military action despite the diplomatic track.
We will decimate and completely destroy Iran.
The cycle of retaliation has deepened since the beginning of the year, with neither side offering a clear off-ramp beyond sporadic negotiations.
Funeral and succession
The funeral for Ali Khamenei unfolded across multiple cities in Iran during the week ending 11 July. Mojtaba Khamenei's absence from the rites raised questions, though his first public intervention as supreme leader came only after they concluded. He vowed to avenge 'the pure blood' of his predecessor, linking the promise directly to the ongoing hostilities that have already seen thousands of casualties in the two declared wars since February.
