One of Iran’s most powerful political figures has issued a direct threat against the United States following the attacks that reportedly killed the Supreme Leader.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a long-time confidant of Khamenei, said the United States would face severe consequences.
“The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart, and we will stab them in their heart,” Larijani said in remarks carried by Iranian state media, as reported by CNN.
His comments mark one of the strongest official reactions yet from Tehran following the reported strike that eliminated Khamenei and several other senior Iranian figures.
Promise of Stronger Military Response
Larijani warned that Iran’s retaliation would not be symbolic.
“The reaction from our armed forces will be much stronger,” he said. “They must know they cannot just hit and run.”
He suggested that Iran’s military establishment was already preparing a response, signalling that any further escalation would be deliberate and calculated.
The language used reflects the gravity of the moment inside Iran’s leadership circles, as the country confronts the possible loss of its most powerful authority figure.
Regional Assurances and Targeting of US Bases
Despite the aggressive rhetoric toward Washington, Larijani said Iran had reassured regional governments that it was not seeking war with neighbouring states.
He stressed that Tehran’s focus would remain on American interests, particularly US military bases across the Middle East.
According to him, Iran’s actions would be directed specifically at those it considers responsible for the attacks.
“It must be made clear once and for all that the Americans cannot bully the Iranian nation,” he said.
Interim Leadership Structure
Larijani also addressed questions surrounding governance in the wake of Khamenei’s reported death.
He said a temporary leadership arrangement would soon be established, comprising the president and the head of the judiciary, pending further constitutional processes.
Such a move would be aimed at ensuring political stability and continuity of state authority during what is likely to be one of the most volatile periods in Iran’s modern history.
Escalating Tensions
Larijani’s remarks underline the rapidly escalating tensions between Tehran, Washington and Israel.
With threats of retaliation now openly declared by one of Iran’s top decision-makers, fears are mounting of a broader regional confrontation.
The situation remains fluid as governments across the Middle East and beyond monitor developments closely.
The Israel Defence Forces said the operation targeted key figures within Iran’s defence leadership.
According to the Israeli military, Ali Shamkhani, identified as a senior adviser to Khamenei, and General Mohammad Pakpour, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, were among those killed.
The IDF said its fighter jets eliminated multiple senior officials during the operation.
In a post on X, the Israeli military shared a graphic listing officials it said were killed in the strike.
Those named include:
- Aziz Nasirzadeh – Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics
- Mohammad Shirazi – Chief of the Military Bureau of the Supreme Leader
- Ali Shamkhani – Adviser for Security Affairs and Secretary of the Defence Council
- Hossein Jabal Amelian – Chairman of SPND
- Mohammad Pakpour – Chief of the IRGC
- Reza Mozafari-Nia – Former Chairman of SPND
- Salah Asadi – Head of Intelligence, Khatem Alanbieh Command
- Abdolrahim Mousavi – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
