In his first message since the funeral of his father, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has pledged to “avenge [his] innocent blood”, adding that “revenge is the will of our nation.”
Khamenei expressed his gratitude to millions who turned up with an “enemy-breaking and historic presence” for the funeral of his father, who was assassinated in the US-Israeli attacks on the first day of the war in late February.
This comes after United States President Donald Trump threatened Iran as the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for Trump’s killing.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US President threatened attacks on Iran if it tries to assassinate him.
“1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!
“Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran – PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!”
Donald Trump
Tehran has pledged revenge against Trump since 2020, when he ordered the drone attack that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
The threat reportedly prompted the US Secret Service to request that Trump switch planes when leaving the NATO summit in Turkiye earlier in the week.
However, despite his fiery rhetoric, and his insistence that the provisional ceasefire with Tehran has been over since Iranian attacks on Qatari and Saudi tankers near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday led to US air strikes on Iran for two nights and retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks on US-linked military facilities in the region, Trump said talks on finalising a peace deal were continuing.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”
Donald Trump
In response to the mounting pressure from Washington, Iran’s lead negotiator and parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that Tehran would never surrender to the US.
He emphasised that Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself if Washington backs out of the Pakistani-brokered memorandum of understanding.
“We have never stopped preparing to defend our country, and if at any moment the Americans betray the understanding, we are ready for full-scale defence. Ending the war is a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone should know that this conflict will never end with Iran’s surrender.”
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
Diplomatic Talks Continue Amid Exchange Of Threats
Despite the exchange of ultimatums and a wave of US air attacks on five Iranian provinces, high-stakes diplomatic talks are continuing behind the scenes.
Qatari mediators have travelled to Tehran. An Iranian news agency reported today that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in the Omani capital, Muscat, for talks regarding security in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to express “deep concern” over the recent escalation. Sharif urged both Iran and the US to exercise restraint.
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