Iranian leaders declared Sunday they would avenge the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s massive US-Israeli strikes, announcing fresh missile attacks on American bases across the Gulf.
As crowds gathered in Tehran amid explosions and smoke, President Masoud Pezeshkian called Khamenei’s death a “declaration of war against Muslims” and vowed retribution.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned, “The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will teach an unforgettable lesson to the international oppressors.”
In a post echoing Trump’s style, he added: “YESTERDAY IRAN FIRED MISSILES AT THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL, AND THEY DID HURT. TODAY WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.”
Blasts rang out in northern Tehran with smoke rising from a building, though it was unclear what was hit. Israel’s military announced new strikes in the city centre.
Earlier cheers from some Iranians celebrating Khamenei’s death turned to pro-government protests chanting “Death to America!” after state media confirmed the loss.
Iran’s retaliatory salvo Saturday had already struck targets across the Gulf, with Oman’s Duqm port hit by drones on Sunday, injuring a foreign worker.
Outrage spilled into Iraq and Pakistan, where crowds tried to storm US missions. In Karachi, at least eight protesters died during clashes at the US consulate, most with bullet wounds.
Iran’s Red Crescent reported 201 dead and hundreds wounded from Saturday’s strikes. The judiciary confirmed top adviser Ali Shamkhani and Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour were also killed.
One strike reportedly hit a southern school, killing 108 people, though AFP could not independently verify the claim.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed Khamenei was dead following the operation. Trump urged Iranians to rise up, saying “the hour of your freedom is at hand.”
The unprecedented strikes followed weeks of tension after US-Iran talks in Geneva mediated by Oman collapsed.
