Iran's Supreme Leader vows to avenge slain father and predecessor

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the death of his predecessor and father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as "the demand of the nation" that "must certainly" be fulfilled.

The remarks were contained in a written message released on Saturday through his official Telegram account during funeral ceremonies held in honour of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.

In the message, Mojtaba Khamenei pledged that Iran would seek retribution for those killed in the conflict.

"We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers," he said.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel following months of military confrontation that have further strained regional security.