Iran Media Publishes List of Foreign Leaders Following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Assassination
The Iranian newspaper Hamshahri has published a list of 13 foreign leaders identified as potential targets for retaliation following the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The infographic, which appeared on the newspaper’s online platform, features the pictures of these leaders depicted in prison uniforms.
The publication of this list coincides with ongoing tensions following the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. While the infographic was disseminated online, it was not included in the printed version of the newspaper. There remains no clarity regarding whether the list carries official approval from the Iranian government.

Targeted Officials and Global Reactions
The list published by Hamshahri includes high-ranking officials from the United States, Israel, and several European nations. Among those identified are:
* United States: President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
* Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
* Europe: French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The inclusion of these figures follows a period of heightened rhetoric regarding the response to the February 28 attack.
Statements from the Supreme Leader’s Successor
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late leader and his successor, has issued public statements vowing retribution for his father’s death. Following the funeral proceedings, Mojtaba Khamenei declared that revenge is the desire of the nation and that it will be carried out.
In a document shared on social media, he further warned that those responsible for the death of his father and other “martyrs” should not expect a peaceful end. He stated that the perpetrators should not dream of dying peacefully in their own beds. These declarations accompanied the infographic released by the media outlet.
Context of the Airstrike and Funeral Rites
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei occurred during a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Following his death, the Iranian government held funeral ceremonies spanning six days. The late leader was eventually laid to rest at the Imam Reza Mosque in his hometown of Mashhad, with official reports claiming that millions of people participated in the rites.
During the funeral, public attention was captured by a mysterious, masked individual. Iranian media reports later identified this person as Mohammad Javad Khamenei, the eldest grandson of the late Supreme Leader. Reports indicate that Mohammad Javad, the son of Mostafa Khamenei, sustained severe facial burns and injuries during the same February 28 airstrike that killed his grandfather. He wore a mask during the funeral to conceal these injuries.

Status of the Leadership
There has been significant international discussion regarding the health and status of Mojtaba Khamenei. According to reports citing U.S. intelligence, Mojtaba was present at the residence during the February 28 strike but survived because he was in a different room. However, reports suggest he sustained severe injuries and facial disfigurement.
Since the incident, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public or delivered speeches. According to reports, he has been communicating with military commanders and senior clergy through handwritten messages while remaining in seclusion.
Find more reporting in our World section.
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