Iran vows retaliation after Khamenei’s death, senior adviser says US cannot strike and escape

Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): After the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes, Iranian leadership has expressed strong intent to retaliate.

Senior official Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, stated that Iran would respond firmly to the attacks. He said the United States had deeply hurt the Iranian people and warned that the country’s military reaction would be even stronger.

Larijani, a key adviser to Khamenei, indicated that a temporary leadership structure involving the President and the head of the judiciary would soon be established. He also said Iran has reassured regional leaders that it does not seek war with them, but would continue targeting American bases in the Middle East.

He emphasized that the US cannot simply carry out attacks and walk away without consequences.

According to Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency, former senior IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei said that no American warship would be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf.

Iranian state media also reported that Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff were killed in the recent strikes.

Earlier, Iran had confirmed the deaths of IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani.