One of Iran’s most powerful figures has vowed to “stab” America in the heart following the attacks that killed the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart, and we will stab them in the heart,” said Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. He promised further retaliation against the U.S. and Israel, saying that “the response from our armed forces will be much stronger.”
“They must know that they cannot strike and simply walk away,” he said.
Larijani is one of the highest decision-makers in Iran and was a key adviser to Khamenei.
He said that a temporary leadership structure composed of the president and the head of the judiciary would soon be established.
Larijani added that Iran had assured regional leaders that it was not seeking war with them, but would continue targeting American bases in Middle Eastern countries.
“It must be made clear once and for all that the Americans cannot provoke the Iranian nation,” he said.