Ali Larijani, a powerful figure in Iran's regime, issued a warning message vowing to "make them regret" after Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, died in US and Israeli airstrikes on the 28th (local time). Iran launched counterattacks against US allies and naval vessels across the Middle East just one day after the airstrikes, but the impact was minimal.
Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), posted on X (formerly Twitter): "We will make the Zionist criminals and shameless Americans regret their actions. Iran's brave soldiers and great people will teach the oppressive international devils an unforgettable lesson."
Larijani's post appeared to be published after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at Khamenei's death.
Earlier, the New York Times, Reuters, and other foreign media reported on the 22nd that Khamenei had designated Larijani as the top candidate to manage the theocratic system in the event of his death. Larijani was once regarded by the West as a pragmatic conservative, but reportedly pushed for bloody suppression using the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia when anti-government protests spread across Iran in January.
Larijani reportedly received full authority from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to run the country in emergency situations. A former philosophy professor at Tehran University, Larijani is a core regime figure who served as Revolutionary Guard commander, parliamentary speaker, and minister of four different departments.
Iran continued its counterattack primarily with missiles, but the New York Times assessed the strikes as "symbolic" with minimal damage. Fars News Agency, the state-run news agency, reported that Iran's missile attacks targeted US military facilities including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia were also hit in the attacks.
The intensity was weaker compared to when the US and Israel attacked in June last year. At that time, Iran retaliated with 600 missiles within two hours of being attacked, but this time the response was slower and more dispersed. Most of Iran's missiles were intercepted, resulting in no casualties. Analysts assessed the strikes were meant more as a warning than to cause actual damage. US President Donald Trump even expressed gratitude for Iran's restraint, stating "it is now time for peace."
However, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, blocking 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transit volumes.
