Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Revenge for Father’s Killing as Trump Warns 1,000 Missiles Ready
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 11
Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Revenge for Father’s Killing as Trump Warns 1,000 Missiles Ready
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 11
Summary
Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first message since his father’s funeral, said revenge for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing by the US and Israel “must certainly be carried out” and would come “soon.”
The threat came hours after Donald Trump warned that “1,000 missiles” were “locked and loaded” to strike Iran if Tehran tried to assassinate him, though US sources said intelligence shows no new specific Iranian plot.
Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has slowed again after recent US-Iran strikes and where Washington wants Tehran to publicly guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels.
The exchange underscores how fragile the US-Iran diplomatic track has become: both sides say talks can continue, but the ceasefire framework is fraying and US officials say nuclear negotiations cannot advance unless the strait is reopened.
How will a new leader's personal vow of revenge shape Iran's escalating conflict with the United States?
With a fragile ceasefire shattered, can mediators prevent all-out war in the world's most vital oil chokepoint?
The 2026 US-Israeli Strike on Iran: Khamenei’s Assassination, Regional War, and the Fragmentation of Iran’s Axis of Resistance
Overview
The regional crisis began with a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top officials. This triggered a rapid escalation, plunging the region into major conflict as Iran faced expanding attacks from the US and Israel. In response, Iran quickly named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, but his succession was controversial and challenged by internal and external pressures. The aftermath saw widespread violence, a fragmented network of Iranian allies, and ongoing diplomatic efforts, all rooted in the initial airstrike and its far-reaching consequences.