Iranian Leadership Vows to Carry Forward Khamenei's Legacy
As Iran and the Shia community mourn the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior political and military leaders paid tribute during his funeral prayers, vowing to continue his path and issuing strong remarks against those responsible for his death.
Speaking to Iranian state media IRIB on the second day of the funeral ceremony, top officials called out the US and Israeli forces, holding them accountable for Khamenei's assassination.
Military Leaders Threaten Retaliation
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Major General Amir Hatami, declared, "We will not let go of the collars of those who martyred our Leader." Brigadier General Iraj Masjedi, Deputy Coordinator of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, said, "The martyr leader, after years of striving, should not have deserved any reward other than martyrdom."
IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Qaani described Khamenei's death as the culmination of a lifetime of service, stating, "An Imam who spent a lifetime striving purely should have had such a blessed end."
Political Leaders Pledge Continuity
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the gathering, pledging, "I promise to continue the path of the martyr Imam." First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said, "Our responsibility to pursue the statements of the Leader of the Revolution has become heavier."
Millions of people swarmed the streets of central Tehran near the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, where Khamenei's body has been lying in state since Saturday for public mourning and official farewell ceremonies.
Assassination and Aftermath
Ali Khamenei was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, leading to widespread conflict in West Asia. Last month, the US and Iran agreed to a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending hostilities and opening a 60-day dialogue window for technical talks, including discussions over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.
Following Khamenei's death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader. According to Al Jazeera, Mojtaba Khamenei will skip the six days of funeral ceremonies citing security concerns amid continued Israeli threats to assassinate him.
