This photo, taken in Tehran, shows a statement by Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei being televised on March 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)
Iranian state television broadcast on Thursday a first message from the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has still not appeared in public, in which he promises "revenge" after the Israeli-U.S. attacks, while paying tribute to the "devoted Hezbollah" which, "despite all the difficulties, came to the aid of the Islamic Republic of Iran" on March 2, according to the message published by the Iranian agency Fars.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, killed on the first day of the war, was himself injured in a strike. The extent of his injuries is not known.
In this speech, the Islamic leader vowed to avenge the victims of the conflict. 'A limited part of this revenge has been carried out so far, but as long as it is not pursued to the end, it will remain one of our priorities,' he said in this speech read by a presenter. The 56-year-old cleric expressed his "sincere gratitude to the fighters of the 'Axis of Resistance' in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq for their support.
"We consider the countries of this 'Axis' as our best friends. Resistance is an integral part of the values of the Islamic Revolution. Brave Yemen has defended Gaza. The devoted Hezbollah, despite all the difficulties, came to the aid of the Islamic Republic. The Iraqi resistance is also continuing this path with courage," wrote the Iranian Leader.
Strait of Hormuz
Mojtaba Khamenei also called for the continuation of the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which is causing major disruptions to the global oil supply.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier suggested that oil prices come after the necessity of stopping Iran.
"The leverage of blocking Hormuz must absolutely be used," Khamenei insisted, who asked Gulf countries to close U.S. bases on their soil. Since the start of the war, Iran has been sending missiles and drones to its neighbors, claiming to target only U.S. positions, which is disputed by countries in the region.
At the end of the speech reading, the Revolutionary Guards said they had launched strikes against American and Israeli targets in homage to Khamenei and his family.
