Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed and Seek Revenge in First Public Message

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first public message on Thursday, outlining a hard-line stance that included keeping pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, seeking retaliation for Iranian casualties, and continuing attacks on U.S. military bases across the region.

The statement, read by a presenter on Iranian state television, marks the first public address since Khamenei was selected to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

In the address, Khamenei signaled that Iran would maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz despite calls from global markets and the United States to reopen the critical shipping route.

"Certainly, the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz should still be used," Khamenei said, according to remarks reported by Iranian media.

The strategic waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, and its disruption has already sent energy prices sharply higher as tensions intensify across the region.

Khamenei also vowed retaliation for Iranian casualties, warning that those responsible would be forced to pay.

"We will ask for compensation from the enemy. If we can't get compensation from the enemy, we will destroy their properties as much as they have destroyed ours," Iran's new supreme leader said in an address broadcast on state television.

Although he did not explicitly name the United States or Israel, Khamenei repeatedly referred to them as "the enemy" while warning that Iran would not hesitate to avenge the deaths of its citizens.

He specifically referenced an incident in the city of Minab, where Iranian authorities say a U.S. strike near a school killed 168 people, including around 110 children. Washington has denied responsibility while it investigates the incident.

Despite the strong rhetoric, Khamenei said Iran maintains a policy of friendship with neighboring countries, but warned they must distance themselves from American military presence in the region.

"We have had good relationship with all these 15 neighboring countries … we only targeted these military bases (and) we will continue, we will have to continue and do so," he said.

"These countries must make their duty clear to the invaders of our beloved homeland and the murderers of our people," he added, recommending that regional governments close U.S. bases "as soon as possible."

Khamenei warned that Iran would continue targeting those military facilities if they remain operational, signaling that Tehran's campaign against American positions in the region is likely to intensify as the conflict unfolds.