India, March 1 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that avenging the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes was a right and obligation of the Islamic Republic.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime," said Pezeshkian in a statement carried by state TV.

Pezeshkian also said that the killing of Khamenei in was a "declaration of war against Muslims".

"The assassination of the highest political authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a prominent leader of Shiism worldwide... is perceived as an open declaration of war against Muslims, and particularly against Shiites, everywhere in the world...