Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to continue attacks on U.S. Military bases and maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in his first public statement since assuming office on March 9, signaling a hardline continuation of Iranian policy amid escalating regional conflict.
In a televised address broadcast by Iranian state media on Thursday, Khamenei asserted the closure of the vital shipping lane would persist as long as the “American-Israeli war” against Iran continues, though he indicated the policy could be adjusted based on “interests.” The Strait of Hormuz, which handled 20 million barrels of crude and products last year, has seen flows collapse by more than 90% since the conflict began, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of initiating attacks on Iran beginning on February 28, resulting in the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He stated that Iranian armed forces had “thwarted plans to partition Iran” and pledged to avenge the deaths of “martyrs.” He likewise warned of “opening new fronts of war” against the U.S. And Israel.
The new Supreme Leader claimed Tehran seeks “strong relations with neighbouring countries” but insisted that U.S. Military bases within those nations must be “disrupted as soon as possible,” alleging they were used to “kill our sons.” He called for those countries to close these bases, claiming U.S. Promises of security were “merely lies.”
Since the conflict began, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting infrastructure, ports, airports, and residential buildings across the Gulf region. Gulf states have maintained they will not allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
Khamenei expressed gratitude to Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the “resistance front in Iraq” for their support, referring to them as “our best friends” and stating they would “shorten the path to getting rid of the Zionist entity.” He also threatened to demand compensation for war damages, potentially seizing or destroying equivalent assets if the “enemy” refused to pay.
The conflict has caused the “largest disruption in history” to the global oil market, according to the IEA. Brent crude jumped above $100 per barrel on Thursday following attacks on two tankers in Iraqi territorial waters and the evacuation of a major export terminal in Oman. The IEA estimates the conflict will reduce global oil supplies by 8 million barrels per day this month, totaling approximately 250 million barrels.
In response to the supply disruption, IEA member states agreed on Wednesday to withdraw an unprecedented 400 million barrels from emergency reserves. But, the agency also noted that high prices, flight cancellations, and economic uncertainty have slowed global consumption growth to 640,000 barrels per day, the lowest projection since April of last year.
Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader following a vote by the Assembly of Experts, a body of clerics responsible for choosing the country’s top leader. He stated he learned of his appointment simultaneously with the public through state media. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed “disappointment” with the selection, telling Fox News he did not believe Khamenei “can live in peace.”
