Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Imminent Revenge, Targets Trump and Netanyahu

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to launch thousands of missiles at Iran if the regime attempts to assassinate him, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written statement pledging imminent revenge for the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei. He declared, "We commit to avenge your blood and the blood of all those killed in the two wars by the criminal and despicable murderers," emphasizing that the retaliation will occur regardless of his or other regime leaders' presence in power. "This revenge is the will of our nation and must be fulfilled," he wrote.

Shortly after the statement, the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri, owned by Tehran's municipality, published what it called a "hit list" of those allegedly responsible for Ali Khamenei's assassination. The list featured images of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dressed in orange prison uniforms with target marks on their heads, alongside other senior officials from Israel, the U.S., and Europe, including ministers, military commanders, and heads of state.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the attack that killed his father early in the war. Reports from Reuters indicate he sustained severe facial injuries and significant damage to one or both legs. Despite his injuries, sources close to him said in April that he remains lucid, participates in discussions via video calls, and is involved in war and diplomatic decisions. U.S. intelligence estimates suggest he lost one leg. Iranian security officials reportedly prevented him from attending his father's funeral ceremonies due to fears of assassination attempts or surveillance by Israel.

Ahead of Khamenei's statement, the Iranian news agency Fars, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, quoted a source close to Iran's negotiation team denying any request for new talks with the U.S. The source asserted that Iran will not engage in negotiations unless the U.S. reverses its positions and implements previously agreed understandings.

Meanwhile, President Trump reiterated his warning that any Iranian attempt on his life would be met with overwhelming retaliation. In an interview with the New York Post, he said he had issued orders to "bomb them to levels they have never seen before." On Truth Social, Trump escalated the threat, stating that 1,000 missiles are aimed at Iran and thousands more would follow if Iran tries to assassinate him. He added that the U.S. military is prepared to operate for a year or longer to "completely destroy all areas of Iran," concluding with "Praise be to Allah."