Tehran, 02 March (H.S.): Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stern warning to the nation in his first address following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, labeling the incident a declaration of war against Muslims and asserting that avenging the responsible parties is Iran's legitimate duty and right.

In his inaugural message to the people, Pezeshkian declared that Iranian armed forces would persist with powerful strikes on enemy positions. He proclaimed Khamenei a martyr and vowed that the country would advance in his footsteps.

New Leadership Council Takes Charge

The president also confirmed the formation of a new leadership council to oversee governance during this transitional period. He urged citizens to unite at mosques and on the streets to thwart enemies' conspiracies.

Meanwhile, Iran announced fresh attacks on U.S. military bases in the Gulf region and parts of Iraqi Kurdistan. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that the armed forces would deliver an unforgettable lesson to those accountable for the strikes.

Notably, Pezeshkian was elected in 2024 as a reformist candidate. In his debut speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2024, he emphasized national unity and constructive dialogue with the world, asserting that Iran seeks no nuclear weapons and is open to easing tensions with Western nations.Yet, in this initial address, the newly sworn-in Iranian leader adopted a staunchly defensive and vengeful stance. Amid escalating military tensions in the region and reports of the supreme leader's death, Iran has signaled it will not back down from retaliatory action.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar