Iran's Supreme Leader Threatens to Kill Larijani

JAKARTA - Supreme Leader of Iran Mojtaba Khamenei vowed that "criminal killers" behind the assassination of Iranian Supreme National Security Council official Ali Larijani would soon receive a response.

In a statement on the X social media account, Khamenei said with deep sorrow he received the news of the assassination of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Larijani and his wife and several colleagues.

MojtabamengenangLarijani as a man of great knowledge, far-sighted, and wise. He said that almost five decades of service in the fields of politics, military, security, culture, and administration, Larijani has become a leading figure.

Khamenei said the killing of Larijani showed the importance of his existence until there was enmity that was buried by Islamic enemies against him.

He also warned that spilling the blood of such people would only make them stronger.

"Every drop of blood has its own retribution and the murderers of the martyrs will soon receive their retribution," he vowed, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, March 19.

Iranian authorities said Larijani was killed on Tuesday morning (17/3) in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The attack also killed Larijani's son, Morteza, aide Alireza Bayat, as well as several members of the council staff and bodyguards.

The United States and Israel have continued joint attacks on Iran since February 28, which have killed about 1,300 people, including Iran's then-supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Iran also retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets. The retaliatory attacks caused casualties and infrastructure damage and disrupted global markets and flights.