An Iranian newspaper known for its hardline and provocative stance has published an infographic naming 13 foreign leaders it claims should be targeted in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The infographic, shared online by Hamshahri, a newspaper published by authorities in Tehran, appeared shortly after Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge for his father's death in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, the first day of the ongoing Middle East war.
"Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out," Mojtaba Khamenei said in his first public message since his father's funeral.
"These criminals, whose names appear on a list, will take to their graves the wish of a peaceful death in their beds."
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While Mojtaba Khamenei referred to a list of individuals, he did not publicly name anyone. There has also been no indication that the list published by Hamshahri has been officially endorsed by the Iranian government.
The infographic, however, features photographs of 13 political and military leaders from the US, Israel and Europe.
Full list of the 13 leaders on Iran's 'revenge list'
{{/usCountry}}The infographic, however, features photographs of 13 political and military leaders from the US, Israel and Europe.
Full list of the 13 leaders on Iran's 'revenge list'
{{/usCountry}}The names featured in the Hamshahri infographic are:
- Donald Trump, President of the United States
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
- Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France
- Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
- Israel Katz, Israel's Defence Minister
- Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister
- Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
- Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
- Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense
- General Michael "Erik" Kurilla Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), as identified in the infographic
- Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel
Why are European leaders on the list?
Along with senior US and Israeli officials, the infographic includes the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy.
During the war, Iran repeatedly accused European governments of failing to condemn the US-Israeli strikes on its territory. Tehran also alleged that some European countries were complicit by allowing US military aircraft to use their airspace during military operations.
What is happening in the US-Iran war?
The publication of the list comes as fighting between Iran and the United States has intensified around the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation began after an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz left the vessel ablaze and forced its crew to abandon ship. In response, the US launched multiple waves of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including air defence systems, radar installations, missile and drone facilities, ammunition depots and Revolutionary Guard assets.
Iran retaliated by launching attacks towards Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Oman, countries that host US military facilities or lie close to the conflict zone. Missile sirens were reported in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, while Iranian state media acknowledged fresh explosions in several parts of the country.
A key flashpoint remains control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest energy corridors. Iran has insisted it should control shipping through the waterway, while the US military has vowed to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial vessels.
The renewed fighting has raised fears that the interim understanding between Washington and Tehran has effectively collapsed, despite ongoing mediation efforts by countries including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that a return to full-scale hostilities would have "catastrophic consequences" for the region and the global economy.
Mojtaba Khamenei vows retaliation
Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes of the war, has largely remained out of public view and was reportedly wounded in the attack that killed the former supreme leader.
His latest statement marks his strongest public warning yet, signalling that Tehran intends to pursue those it holds responsible for the death of Iran's longtime leader, even as there is no official confirmation that the newspaper's published list represents the Iranian state's formal position.