A state-linked Iranian newspaper has published an online “revenge list” naming 13 foreign leaders after the death of the country’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The publication appeared alongside the first public message from his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, following his father’s funeral.
The development comes against the backdrop of renewed military confrontation between Iran and the United States, reports of an alleged plot against US President Donald Trump, and continued uncertainty over efforts to preserve the ceasefire.
State-linked publication names 13 foreign leaders
The graphic, published late Saturday by Hamshahri, depicts US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with sniper-style crosshairs placed over their foreheads.
Eleven other leaders and senior officials are shown wearing orange prison uniforms. They include British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, US Central Command Commander Brad Cooper, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Mojtaba Khamenei vows vengeance
In his first public statement since his father’s funeral, Mojtaba Khamenei declared that revenge was inevitable.
“Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out.”
He further said:
“These criminals, whose names appear on a list, will take to their graves the wish of a peaceful death in their beds.”
According to reports, he has not appeared publicly since before the outbreak of hostilities and was reported to have been injured in the same strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
US media report alleged plot against Trump
The publication came days after several US media outlets reported that Iran had allegedly planned to assassinate Trump.
CNN reported that US officials had been tracking what it described as a “steady drumbeat” of intelligence regarding potential threats. The broadcaster, citing unnamed sources, said Israel had shared intelligence with Washington about a specific assassination plot targeting the US president.
Trump also referred to the reports while speaking aboard Air Force One after departing the NATO summit in Turkey.
“They want to take out the US leader – me. I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists.”
Fresh military escalation after ceasefire breach
The latest developments unfolded as both sides allegedly violated the ceasefire.
According to the ANI report, the United States carried out strikes on around 140 targets on Sunday in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
Tehran defended its actions by claiming the ships had ignored warnings regarding an approved route. It also declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until what it described as the “end of US interference in this region.”
The waterway carries around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments during peacetime.
Iran also criticised Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman after the US strikes.
Qatar described attacks on its territory and neighbouring countries as a “dangerous escalation”, while Oman’s state news agency said the government “affirms its condemnation and denunciation of this attack.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, identified in the report as one of Tehran’s principal negotiators, also posted on X.
“The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”