Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader has delivered his first public message since taking power, vowing retaliation against the country’s enemies as the tension with the United States and Israel continues.
The message was broadcast on Iranian state television and read by a presenter while an image of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Iranian flag were shown.
In the address, the new leader signaled that Iran will continue its fight against the United States and Israel and vowed to avenge those killed in the conflict, whom he described as martyrs.
“A limited portion of this revenge for the blood of our martyrs can already be seen. But until we completely take revenge, this file will remain on top of all the others. We’re even more sensitive with regard to the blood of our children and infants,” Khamenei emphasized.
According to figures cited by Al Jazeera, more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, while around 10,000 civilian sites have reportedly been hit by joint U.S. and Israeli strikes.
The February 28 airstrike that killed the former supreme leader and his father, Ali Khamenei, also allegedly claimed the lives of several members of Mojtaba’s family, including his wife and mother.
Khamenei also signaled that Iran will continue using control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the conflict: “The leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.”
The vital shipping route carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply and has become a major flashpoint in the war.
The disruption in the waterway has already affected global energy markets, with crude oil prices climbing past 100 dollars per barrel.
In the same message, Khamenei warned neighboring Gulf countries hosting American military bases that those facilities could remain targets if they continue supporting U.S. operations.
The leader however, made it clear that Iran remains committed to the necessity of friendship with its neighbors.
“In the recent assault, some of these military bases were utilised; naturally, as we had clearly warned in advance, and without committing any act of aggression against those regional countries themselves, we have only targeted the US bases there. After this, we will have no choice but to continue this course of action. Though, we remain committed to the necessity of friendship with our neighbors,” he said.
Thus he urged regional leaders to shut down U.S. bases in their territories, arguing that Washington’s promise of security through those installations has failed.
“I advise the leaders of regional countries to shut down those [US] bases as soon as possible, for they must surely have realised by now that the US’s claims of ensuring security and peace have been nothing but lies,” he explained.
The statement came just hours before Benjamin Netanyahu also held his first ever press briefing since the conflict began.
The Israeli prime minister issued a veiled warning suggesting that Iran’s new leader could also become a potential target as Israel continues its military campaign.