Iran vows revenge as President Pezeshkian declares Khamenei a martyr following US-Israeli airstrikes

3 minutes of readingUpdated: Mar 1, 2026 12:30 pm IST

Amid escalating counterattacks between the United States, Israel and Iran, the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has emerged as the biggest shock for Tehran. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Khamenei a martyr and vowed revenge for his assassination in the US-Israeli military offensive. NBC News reported.

US and Israel attack Iran Live news updates

The declaration of martyrdom means that the previously announced 40 days of national mourning can now formally begin.

Pezeshkian said Khamenei “led the Islamic Revolution with wisdom and courage, carried the flag of the Islamic front and with his strong faith created a new chapter in Islamic rule.” He added that those involved in planning the attack would regret their involvement.

He further said that the assassination would create “a new chapter in the history of the Islamic and Shia world,” adding that “the pure blood of this respected leader will rise like a spring and eradicate American Zionist oppression and crime.”

Pezeshkian further warned that, with the full support of the Islamic nation and its supporters around the world, Iran would ensure that those responsible for the attack face consequences.

Trump’s warning to Iran

US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran not to retaliate for its Operation Epic Fury. Iran had previously vowed to respond with greater force after US and Israeli strikes killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump said Tehran “better not do that.”

Trump added that if Iran goes ahead with its attack plan, he will attack them with a force they have never seen before.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Iran just declared that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than ever before. HOWEVER, THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Who was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was Supreme Leader of Iran who ruled the country for more than three decades. He shaped the country into its current form, maintained a fierce rivalry with the United States, and ruled with an iron fist. He was killed in Israeli and American attacks, Iranian media confirmed. Khamenei commanded the armed forces, appointed the heads of the judiciary, state media and major security agencies, and had the power to dismiss elected officials, repeal laws and declare war or peace.

His control extended to foreign and military policy through his oversight of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force (IRGC) and the Quds Force, which orchestrates Iran’s regional operations. Ali Khamenei was born in 1939 in the city of Mashhad, northern Iran. He was the second of eight children in a modest family headed by his father, a religious clergyman.

After being imprisoned several times by the Shah’s regime, Khamenei emerged as a key figure in the 1979 revolution. He served as president from 1981 to 1989 before succeeding Khomeini as Supreme Leader.

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