The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed revenge for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“The killers of the Imam of the nation will not escape severe, decisive, and deterrent punishment,” the elite force said in a statement on Sunday carried by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The statement added that the IRGC, Iran’s armed forces and Basij militias would confront “internal and external conspiracies” and punish the aggressors “with a deterrent and exemplary response.”

It also called on all segments of society to participate in the defence of the country and to demonstrate solidarity and national unity to the world.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had declared Mr Khamenei dead after the United States and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”

He said bombings in Iran would continue until peace was restored in the region and worldwide, adding that Israeli forces were also involved in the strikes.

Under Mr Khamenei’s leadership, the IRGC developed into the country’s leading military force and became far more influential than the regular army.

(spa/NAN)