The leader of Iran’s secretive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stern warning of retaliation against the US on Friday following the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Kahemeni in Tehran.
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi called for retribution for Khamenei’s death, who was reportedly killed in combined Israeli-US airstrikes on his compound at the onset of the conflict on February 28. Despite the temporary calm in the region on Friday, concerns persist that further tensions may arise if Iran disrupts shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Over the past week, the Iranian government has held mourning ceremonies in Iran and Iraq for Khamenei, who ruled with an iron fist for many years.
General Vahidi, following Khamenei’s burial in Mashad, stated the need for justice and a strong response to the perpetrators, particularly singling out the US military. He warned that those responsible for the assassination would face consequences and emphasized the demand for retribution. The recent missile exchanges between the two sides were sparked by Iran’s attack on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessels had navigated a route near the Omani coast, diverging from the path advocated by Iran closer to its own shores. Vahidi’s strong statement coincided with reports from Israeli intelligence suggesting Iran had a specific plan to target US President Donald Trump.
There had been previous speculation about an attempt on Trump’s life in 2020 following the US’s killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The new allegations of an assassination plot may have contributed to Trump’s departure from the recent NATO conference in Turkey using an older aircraft instead of the usual Air Force One. As tensions escalate, the US has conducted multiple strikes against Iranian targets in a short span this week.
Iran has retaliated with attacks on Gulf States and Jordan, specifically targeting US installations and putting Israel on high alert. While explosions have been reported in Iran, the US denies involvement, hinting at potential preemptive actions by Israel. Khamenei’s demise at the age of 86 was the result of meticulous planning by Israeli Mossad and US CIA.
Mossad had gathered detailed intelligence on Khamenei’s movements over the years, although it remains unclear whether it was a US or Israeli missile that led to his death. The joint operation not only claimed Khamenei’s life but also resulted in the deaths of numerous senior Iranian officials in the initial moments of the conflict.
Coordinated strikes across Tehran disrupted the Iranian leadership, but their decentralized command structure allowed various groups to operate independently, cracking down on dissent and launching attacks on neighboring countries, Israel, and US forces.
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