Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Saturday that avenging his slain predecessor and father was "the demand of the nation." The declaration further escalates tensions already rising between Tehran and Washington.
He said the retaliation "must certainly" be carried out, according to a post on X.
His remarks reflected a hardened stance following months of political and military strain.
The statement coincided with funeral ceremonies for his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The funeral was held months after he was killed in US–Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
