Iran’s president calls Khamenei killing ‘act of war,’ vows response

Pezeshkian says assassination of supreme leader amounts to open war against Muslims; Tehran declares mourning

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as a declaration of “open war” against Muslims worldwide, particularly Shias, following what Tehran says was a joint U.S.-Israeli attack.

In a message issued Sunday, Pezeshkian offered condolences over what he called the martyrdom of the Leader at the hands of “the most wicked of oppressors,” warning that the killing marks a turning point for the Muslim world.

“This occurrence is the biggest test for today’s Muslim world,” he said, adding that targeting “the highest political figure of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a prominent religious authority of the Shia world” amounts to an open war against Muslims across the globe.

The president said Iran had steadfastly followed the path of Imam Khomeini under Ayatollah Khamenei’s leadership for 37 years, describing the late Leader as a central figure in the struggle against global arrogance and a champion of independence.

He called Ayatollah Khamenei a “great and divine” leader who, he said, brought dignity and honor to the Iranian nation and stood firm against what he described as enemies of Islam and Iran.

Pezeshkian stressed that the Islamic Republic considers seeking retribution against those responsible for the attack its “legitimate duty and right,” pledging that Iran would use its full capacity to respond.

He also urged unity and greater cohesion among Iranian officials and citizens to uphold the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and advance justice and freedom.

Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred Saturday in what Iranian authorities described as a terrorist strike carried out by the Israeli regime and the United States. The Iranian government has since declared 40 days of public mourning and announced seven days of national holidays following the Leader’s martyrdom.

With additional information from press TV

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