Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that Tehran could keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as leverage against the United States and suggested that attacks on regional targets could continue amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
This marks his first public statement since assuming office.
The statement was read by a news anchor on Iranian state television on Thursday, with the leader himself not appearing on camera.
Khamenei also warned that American military installations in the region could come under attack if they remain operational.
“I recommend that they close those bases as soon as possible, because they must have realised by now that the claim of establishing security and peace by America was nothing more than a lie,” he said in the statement.
The Iranian leader vowed that the country would avenge those killed in the recent conflict and seek compensation from its adversaries. He said that if such compensation is not provided, Iran would take action against the assets of its enemies.
Khamenei also pledged that Iran would not retreat and would resist with “full force”, while promising to avenge the deaths of citizens killed during the war, including the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“We will not forget the revenge for the blood of the martyrs,” he said, according to the statement broadcast on state media.
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