Iranian Media Amplifies Khamenei’s Vow of Revenge, Calls for Attacks on Israel

Following the death of Ali Khamenei’s father, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed certain revenge, sparking a coordinated media campaign across Iranian state-affiliated newspapers on July 12, 2026. The front pages prominently featured calls for retaliation against the United States and Israel, with explicit threats targeting American bases in the region and Israeli infrastructure.

Kayhan, a key regime mouthpiece, declared that revenge is a popular demand that will be fulfilled without fail. Its editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, urged continued strikes on U.S. military bases and expanded the target list to include Israel, labeling it as the "attack dog" of the U.S. He argued that the U.S., Israel, and Gulf states hosting American bases form a single entity deserving of Iranian retaliation.

Other conservative outlets like Mashregh and Asrar Iranian echoed the vow, featuring large images from Ali Khamenei’s funeral and slogans such as "We Will Kill Trump" in English and Persian. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reinforced the message on social media, warning that the era of one-sided agreements is over and that failure to uphold commitments will have consequences.

The newspaper Jam-e Jam notably included the Hebrew phrase "נקמה בקרוב" (Revenge Soon) on its front page, signaling a direct message to Israeli audiences. The coordinated media effort underscores Tehran’s intent to escalate pressure on Washington and Jerusalem in response to the recent loss within the Khamenei family.

This campaign marks a significant intensification in Iranian rhetoric, with calls for military action against U.S. and Israeli targets, and signals potential forthcoming retaliatory operations. The international community will be watching closely for any concrete moves following these threats.