Iranian hardliner vows revenge against United States and Israel, escalating Persian Gulf tensions dramatically.
Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaee delivered an aggressive warning to both Washington and Jerusalem following the reported elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Speaking on Iran’s state broadcaster IRINN TV in remarks translated by MEMRI, Rezaee described Khamenei’s death as “martyrdom” and accused the United States of committing what he called the greatest mistake in its history. He lashed out at U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming they had dragged American forces into what he characterized as a dangerous trap in the Persian Gulf.
Rezaee declared that Iran would not permit American vessels to pass freely through the Persian Gulf, signaling potential maritime escalation in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways. He asserted that Iran is moving toward what he described as “liberating” the Gulf, language likely to heighten global concerns over shipping security and regional stability.
His remarks included direct threats of retaliation, vowing that vengeance for Khamenei’s blood would continue and warning that the world would witness consequences targeting both American and Israeli leadership.
Security analysts note that such rhetoric reflects the hardline faction’s effort to project strength amid internal upheaval. However, any attempt to disrupt Gulf shipping lanes or target Western assets could trigger swift international countermeasures, given the region’s importance to global energy markets and trade flows.
The Persian Gulf remains a flashpoint where rhetoric can rapidly translate into military confrontation, placing international security and energy stability at stake.
