AJ
Last night the Iranian broadcaster IRIB issued a statement on the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, saying: “His Eminence Imam Khamenei, by drinking the sweet nectar of martyrdom in the blessed month of Ramadan, has ascended to the highest heavens.
“Today, the vigilant nation of Iran and the Islamic Ummah and freedom seekers worldwide are grieving due to the vicious attacks of criminal America and the wicked Zionists.
“But the ruthless enemies and the tyrants of international hell should know that the awakened hearts of the world have found their path, they have found their way, and though these martyrdoms may be hard on our nation and the Islamic peoples, they make them even more resilient and more determined.
“Undoubtedly, the martyrdom of that great personality will mark the beginning of a vast uprising in the struggle against the world’s oppressors and be so – peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is resurrected alive,” the broadcaster said.
Iran’s IRGC released a statement, saying: “This martyrdom will make our nation more determined to continue the luminous path of dear Imam Khamenei.
“The criminal and terrorist act of the malicious governments of the United States and the Zionist regime is a clear violation of religious, ethical, legal, and customer principles – therefore, the hand of revenge of the Iranian nation for severe, decisive, and regretful punishment of the killers of the Imam of the Ummah will not leave their collar.”
IRGC continued: “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, and the greater popular Basij will powerfully continue the path of their leader to defend the precious legacy of this great leader and will stand against internal and external conspiracies and punish the aggressors against the Islamic homeland with a lesson.”
Fars News Agency reported that the Khamenei was killed at his office within the leader’s residence in Tehran during the opening US-Israeli strikes on Saturday morning, possibly not expecting a surprise attack at that time of day, and this account contradicts previous media and regional claims that Khamenei lived in a hidden or secure undisclosed location.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “This great crime will never go unanswered and will mark a new chapter in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism – the pure blood of this high-ranking master will gush forth like a roaring spring and will eradicate the American-Zionist oppression and crime.
“Once again, with full power and firmness, supported by the Islamic nation and the free people of the world, will make the perpetrators and instigators of this great crime regret their actions.”
President Trump told CBS News that he believed the US-Israeli strikes that killed the Supreme Leader Khamenei have been effective and could open the door to renewed diplomacy.
Asked about the chances of a diplomatic resolution, Trump said it is ‘much easier now than it was a day ago,’ adding that Iran is ‘getting beat up badly,’ and describing the strikes as a ‘great day for this country, a great day for the world,’ expressing confidence in the outcome of the operation.
Israeli’s media last night began to claim that the USA had nothing to do with the death of Khamenei, which makes sense because normally it is only Israel that have attempted to kill the Hamas talk leaders previously in Doha, Qatar, so it could only be them responsible for murder.
Iran’s Press TV broadcaster was crying as they announced the death on television: “Trump is going to pay a price paid by no American president at all times, paid by no Zionist of all time, paid by no criminal of all time – Trump is going to see, because revenge is coming, and revenge is coming soon – revenge is coming after Trump and everybody who facilitated this assassination.”
Israeli Defence Minister Katz took to X to say: “The tyrant Khamenei is thwarted in the opening strike of Operation ‘Roar of the Lion’, along with other senior figures in the Iranian terror fortress. He who acted to destroy Israel – has been destroyed. Justice has been served and the axis of evil has suffered a mortal blow.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf assured the public: We have prepared ourselves for all scenarios, and plans have been made for after the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei – you will see that with the formation of a Leadership Council, authority will take shape among the people and officials.
“I say and emphasise that you have crossed our red line and must pay the price – this is an existential war for us and a suppressed anger whose time for revenge has come – we will string you with devastating blows that will make you beg.”
Trump took to Truth Social to say: “Iran has just stated that they are going to hit us very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before – THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said: “The United States and the Zionist regime have burned the heart of the Iranian nation, and we will burn their hearts as well – our armed forces are vigilant, and our response will be stronger than what they saw yesterday – our armed forces have only used a fraction of their capabilities and readiness.
“Colonolial powers, whenever they enter a country – through deception or any other means – seek to plunder its resources, the individual currently in charge in the United States is a complete symbol of this plunder.”
Larijani continued: “Khamenei insisted on having a normal life and didn’t want at all to have a different situation – well, this incident is a very bitter incident for all of us – the Temporary Leadership Council will be formed today, and preparations for establishing the Leadership Council have been completed.
“Throughout its history, the Iranian nation has faced worse events than this – the Mongols devastated all of Iran, yet the Iranian people stood against them – this incident is extremely bitter, and the passing of such a great figure has wounded all our hearts and placed the nation in mourning.
“But the late Imam said that such martyrdoms make the people more steadfast – our nation possesses an inherent awareness, and God willing, it will pass through this difficult passage with honour.”
Larijani stated: “In the previous war, we suffered many casualties, but yesterday the number of our martyrs was very low, the armed forces are fully in control thanks to their prior experience – in the coming days, we will have ups and downs, but the overall outlook will be bright.
“Trump is the complete symbol of plundering,” Larijani concluded: “The Americans have fallen into the trap of the Zionists, and it seems the first priority for America is Israel.”
