DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first public statement since taking power, vowed to continue and escalate the war against Israel and the United States, and threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as a strategic lever. The speech, read by a news anchor Thursday without showing Khamenei on camera, did not specify his location but an Israeli assessment indicates he was wounded in the war’s opening salvo.
Khamenei’s remarks signal a hardened stance from Iran’s leadership, with direct threats to regional shipping lanes and a promise of sustained retaliation for his father’s death and recent strikes on Iranian civilians. The statement comes as the conflict, now in its early stages, shows no signs of de-escalation.
In the speech, Khamenei addressed several key points:
On neighboring countries’ positions: “These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie.”
On the Strait of Hormuz: “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency.”
On his father’s death: “I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” he said. “What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”
On retaliation: “I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
On the school strike: “A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children. Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, and some similar cases, holds a special status in this process of accountability.”
Khamenei also thanked Iran’s military: “Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it.”
The speech did not mention Khamenei’s health or exact whereabouts. His father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States at the start of the war. The new supreme leader is believed to be in a secure, secret location to avoid a threatened Israeli operation to kill him.