Less than 24 hours after the government confirmed the assassination of Iranian Defense Chief Ali Larijani, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a special statement.
In his message, the Supreme Leader expressed “deep regret” over Larijani’s death, describing him as an “intelligent, dedicated, and outstanding” figure within Iran’s political system.
According to foreign media reports, Khamenei stated that the assassination of such a prominent individual reflects both the deep hostility of the enemies of Islam and the significance of Larijani’s role.
He further emphasized that the shedding of blood in defense of the Islamic system would only serve to strengthen it.
“Every drop of blood has a price, and the criminals who killed these martyrs will soon have to pay for it,” he reportedly stated.
Meanwhile, Iran has announced plans to launch retaliatory attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Persian Gulf region, following an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, authorities have indicated that five major energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar could be targeted within the next few hours.
The reported targets include the SAMREF refinery and the Jubail chemical complex in Saudi Arabia, the Al Hosn gas field in the United Arab Emirates, and the Ras Laffan refinery along with the Mesaieed chemical complex in Qatar.
The Iranian Oil Ministry confirmed that the attack on the South Pars gas field—considered the world’s largest natural gas field—caused damage to several facilities, although no casualties have been reported.
Foreign media have also confirmed that the Israeli Air Force carried out the strike.
In response, the Qatari Foreign Ministry described the attack on the Iranian gas field as a “dangerous and irresponsible step.”
Source: Al Jazeera
