Tehran: Tensions in the ongoing Middle East conflict intensified after Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that Tehran would seek revenge for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with Iranian state television, Larijani said Iran would “relentlessly avenge the blood of our leader and our people,” directly blaming US President Donald Trump for the strikes that killed Khamenei.
“We will not leave Trump alone. He must pay the price for what he did,” Larijani said, adding that the killing of Iran’s leadership and civilians was “not a simple matter.”
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Iran Claims Ongoing Strikes on US and Israeli Targets
Larijani stated that Iranian forces continue to strike American and Israeli positions across the region. According to him, the operations have inflicted “severe losses” on enemy forces.
The warning comes amid escalating hostilities following a series of US-Israeli strikes inside Iran that reportedly targeted senior leadership and military facilities.
Larijani also compared the current conflict to previous US military operations elsewhere, claiming Washington believed the war would end quickly but had miscalculated Iran’s response.
Trump Dismisses Iran’s Threat
President Donald Trump brushed aside the remarks from Tehran, saying he was unconcerned about the threats. Speaking to media outlets, Trump said he had no interest in Larijani’s comments and insisted that the United States would continue its military campaign.
“I have no idea what he’s talking about. I couldn’t care less,” Trump said, adding that Iran had already suffered major setbacks in the conflict. The US president also repeated his demand that Iran accept “unconditional surrender.”
Dispute Over American Casualties
Larijani also made controversial claims that several American soldiers had been captured during the conflict and were being held in Iranian prisons.
However, US military officials strongly rejected the allegation. A spokesperson for United States Central Command said Iran’s statements were part of a pattern of “misinformation and deception.”
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Iranian officials further claimed the real number of US casualties was far higher than publicly reported figures, though these claims remain unverified.
Conflict Expands Across the Region
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to intensify across the region. Israeli forces have reportedly targeted key oil infrastructure in Tehran, including the Shahran oil depot.
Meanwhile, Iran says it has struck American military facilities in Bahrain, including bases used for operations against Iranian targets. Air raid sirens have also sounded in cities such as Jerusalem and Doha, highlighting the growing risk of the conflict spreading further across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.