US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran that if the country intended to strike “very hard” later in the day, Washington would respond with “a force that has never been seen before.”
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued his own warning to Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they had “crossed a red line” and “will pay for it,” Iran’s state television reported.
Ghalibaf also said Iranian authorities had prepared scenarios “including” contingencies for the period after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and pledged that Iran would “continue Khamenei’s path.”
The threat comes after the confirmation of the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, endorsed by Iranian media on Sunday.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death confirmed
Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law were also killed in US-Israeli strikes, Iranian state media also reported on Sunday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a message of condolences over Khamenei's death, saying: “With a heart full of sorrow and grief, I express my condolences over the death of our wise leader, who left behind an enduring legacy of honor, wisdom, and stability. His steadfast path will remain alive and inspiring.”
US President Donald Trump confirmed in a social media post that he also believed Khamenei was killed on Saturday.
Documentation of Khamenei's body was reportedly shown to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Amichai Stein and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.