Mojtaba Khamenei vows US revenge

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to take revenge for the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli airstrike, escalating tensions between Iran and the US. The vow was made in a written statement released during funeral ceremonies for his father, which were held months after his death.

The statement said that vengeance was "the demand of the nation" and "must certainly" take place. Mojtaba Khamenei also stated that Iran would avenge the blood of his father and all the martyrs of the two wars from the "criminal and disgraced killers."

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The US and Iran have been engaged in a conflict since February, when the US and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. The attack triggered a broader war, with Iran retaliating with missile strikes against Israel and US-linked targets across the region.

According to Abc, the conflict has had significant global economic consequences, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and driving sharp swings in energy prices. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, with roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passing through it.

The situation has been further complicated by the exchange of threats between the US and Iran. Arab News reported that US President Donald Trump warned Iran against any attempts to assassinate him, saying that "1,000 missiles" were "locked and loaded" and aimed at Iran. Trump also said that he had issued instructions to the US military to launch a massive strike against Iran if it succeeds in a plot to assassinate him.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has maintained that Tehran has complied with the memorandum of understanding signed last month, according to NBC News. However, the US has demanded that Iran issue a public statement declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that vessels transiting the strategic waterway will no longer be attacked.

Regional mediators, including Qatar and Oman, have been working to revive negotiations and prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Live Mint reported that a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday to strengthen Doha's role as a mediator, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Oman for talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional tensions.

The US has accused Iran of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, with Israel sharing intelligence with Washington suggesting that Tehran may be plotting to kill the US leader. Trump has denied that Tel Aviv was involved and reiterated that he has been on Tehran's hit list for a long time.

The US Treasury Department on Friday announced new Iran-related sanctions targeting a key financier for Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and 13 other individuals and entities, following Tehran's resumed attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were held in several cities across Iran, with huge crowds gathering to pay their respects to the former leader. The ceremonies were also marked by chants demanding revenge against the US and Israel for the killing of Khamenei.

The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with both the US and Iran exchanging threats and engaging in military action. The conflict has had significant global economic consequences, and the threat of further escalation remains high.

As the situation continues to unfold, regional mediators are working to revive negotiations and prevent further escalation. The US and Iran have agreed to continue talks, despite the fragile state of the ceasefire.