Larijani warned that Trump would “pay the price” for Khamenei’s death.

In a post on X, Larijani wrote: “We will relentlessly avenge the blood of our Leader and our people. Trump must pay and will pay.”

Larijani has emerged as one of the prominent figures in Iran’s leadership following reports of Khamenei’s death.

Responding to the warning, Trump told CBS News: “I have no idea what he’s talking about, who he is. I couldn’t care less.”

Earlier on Saturday, Trump lashed out at Iran, describing the country as the “loser of the Middle East,” hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries for attacks carried out during Iran’s conflict with Israel and the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Iran is no longer the ‘Bully of the Middle East.’ They are, instead, ‘THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,’ and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!”

Trump also warned that Iran could face severe retaliation — remarks that could further escalate tensions in the already volatile region.

“Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” he added.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile,  apologised to neighbouring countries for attacks carried out by Iran in retaliation for strikes on Tehran by Israel and the United States on February 28.

According to the BBC, the Iranian president said: “I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked.”

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries,” he added, calling for greater regional cooperation to “establish peace and calm.”

The United States launched a military operation against Iran on February 28 that reportedly resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, significantly escalating tensions across the Middle East.