President Pezeshkian of Iran: "Mobilizing All National Capabilities for Retaliation"... Iran's 'Three-Member System' Launched [US Iran Airstrike]

"Retaliation Is Both a Legitimate Right and Duty"
Joins Constitutional Three-Member Leadership Council

On March 1 (local time), Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a eulogy following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and warned of strong retaliation against the United States and Israel.

President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

In the eulogy issued that day, President Pezeshkian stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it a duty and a legitimate right to avenge and punish the perpetrators and masterminds behind this historic crime." He continued, "We will mobilize all our national capabilities to fulfill this great responsibility and duty," making it clear that Iran will maintain a hardline foreign policy even after Khamenei's passing.

This eulogy was delayed until late afternoon, even as messages from Iranian government and military officials continued to be released following Khamenei's death, leading to speculation about President Pezeshkian's safety. Earlier, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that both Khamenei and President Pezeshkian were among the targets of the recent airstrike.

In response, Mohammad Mahdi Tabatabaei, Deputy Press Secretary of the Presidential Office, told IRNA news agency that "President Pezeshkian is in perfect health and safe," putting an end to any doubts. In fact, President Pezeshkian had not appeared on state-run broadcasts since the start of the airstrike the previous day, raising questions, but the release of the eulogy confirmed his well-being.

According to Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, President Pezeshkian will play a key role in transitional governance as a member of the "Temporary Leadership Council," which assumes the powers of the Supreme Leader in the event of a vacancy. The council is composed of three people: President Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and one Islamic law expert from the Guardian Council. The council will act on behalf of Khamenei's duties and powers until the next Supreme Leader is chosen.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.