Iran supreme leader calls for revenge for father's killing
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has officially called for vengeance following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in an air strike. This statement marks a significant escalation in rhetoric during the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance.
Why it matters
The public declaration of intent to seek revenge increases the risk of further military escalation and potential regional instability.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the conflict started in February
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has called for revenge for the death of his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei.
Vengeance was the "will of the nation", he said in a written statement read out on state TV. It was his first public message since his father's funeral ceremonies began this week.
His father was killed in an air strike on 28 February, the first day of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Many Iranians taking part in funeral ceremonies over the past few days carried placards calling for the killing of US President Donald Trump, who on Saturday warned that any such plans would see the US "decimate and destroy all areas" of Iran in response.
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