Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, has vowed that the country will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, in his first public statement since assuming power.

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The message was broadcast on Iranian state television, though Khamenei did not appear in person. Instead, the statement was read aloud by a news presenter.

In the message, he pledged that Iran would seek revenge for citizens killed during the war with the United States and Israel, while warning neighbouring countries to close American military bases on their territory.

Leadership change after wartime strike

Khamenei was named supreme leader on March 8 after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed during the opening day of the conflict.

The senior leader died in a joint U.S.–Israeli strike on the supreme leader’s compound.

According to reports, Mojtaba Khamenei also lost his wife and one of his sons in the same attack. His mother was initially reported killed as well, though at least one Iranian media outlet has since suggested she may have survived.

The Reuters news agency, citing an unnamed Iranian official, reported that Khamenei himself was “lightly injured” during the strike.

However, there have been no confirmed details about his condition.

He has not appeared in public since being appointed and no verified photographs or videos have been released showing him since the leadership change.

Iran’s state television has described him as a “veteran of the Ramadan war,” though it has not confirmed whether he was wounded.

Strait of Hormuz central to strategy

In his statement, Khamenei said Iran would continue using the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the conflict.

The narrow waterway carries a large portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments.

He described the route as an area where “the enemy is highly vulnerable” and suggested blocking it could place pressure on Western powers and their allies.

Warning to regional neighbours

Khamenei also warned neighbouring countries against allowing U.S. military bases to operate within their borders.

Iran shares land or maritime borders with 15 countries across the region.

“We have always sought warm and constructive relations with all of them,” the statement said.

However, he urged governments in the region to clarify their position regarding the conflict.

“These countries must clarify their stance toward the aggressors against our homeland and the killers of our people,” the message said.

Khamenei added that regional states should close American bases “as soon as possible.”

He also said Iran would continue targeting U.S. military facilities across the region as part of its response to the ongoing war.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 12.03 2026

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Another bright light. Soon to join his father....

2 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

he pledged that Iran would seek revenge for citizens killed

And rightly so.

What baffles me is how little revenge there is after wars.

Be it Japanese after the nukes to Vietnam people after that war ,

to Iraqies, Syrians , Lybians , ..... to Gazans , Libanese ,...

If your family is murdered , your possessions (house , finances ) gone,

can you pick up life again after the war ?

Your only purpose can only be revenge.

I doubt they can fully succeed in closing the straits fully the economic pressures and the strength of the united states military will prevent that…..that’s not to say they won’t get some licks it.(please don’t misconstrue my words with support for trumps folly)Thanks Donald ya dunce!

Any neighbours that Iran bombs, should have the right to bomb Iran in return, Especially Saudia Arabia.

Maybe the new Regime would end and topple sooner.

IMO

We don't know if the statement produced was the words of Khamenei's son, the new Ayatollah, or just regurgitated words from the IRGC.

We also are not sure if it's true that he was only 'lightly injured,' as stated by the Iranian press, or whether it was more severe or not at all.

22 minutes ago, Stargeezr said:

Any neighbours that Iran bombs, should have the right to bomb Iran in return, Especially Saudia Arabia.

Maybe the new Regime would end and topple sooner.

IMO

That would lead to a major conflict. So far everyone else has stayed out and acted only defensively.

I have no love for Iran, and no ate, either. But I think it's the right tactic for them to block the Strait after these unprovoked attacks. It's really the only leverage they have. Doesn't matter who's in power. Wouldn't you defend your country???

15 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I have no love for Iran, and no ate, either. But I think it's the right tactic for them to block the Strait after these unprovoked attacks. It's really the only leverage they have. Doesn't matter who's in power. Wouldn't you defend your country???

No I would not.

I don't think the majority of Iranians would .

But it is enough that the hard liners go all the way.

Not just stopping trafic through SoH but striking high value

oil and gas terminals.

Go team Iran .

15 minutes ago, FlorC said:

No I would not.

I don't think the majority of Iranians would .

But it is enough that the hard liners go all the way.

Not just stopping trafic through SoH but striking high value

oil and gas terminals.

Go team Iran .

Yeah, I wouldn't either! It was rhetorical...

7 hours ago, Tug said:

I doubt they can fully succeed in closing the straits fully the economic pressures and the strength of the united states military will prevent that…..that’s not to say they won’t get some licks it.(please don’t misconstrue my words with support for trumps folly)Thanks Donald ya dunce!

The same thinking that resulted in the destruction of a fleet and an army in the Dardanelles.

Ukraine has demonstrated how low cost drones can hold a navy at bay.

So all those trillions of £, € and $ spend on the military in America, Europe, UK are useless against a backward terrorist nation who can smear havoc to the world energy supply, just with a bunch of garage made drones ? Looks that the 5 million à piece american missiles are of no use in current warefare ?

17 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same thinking that resulted in the destruction of a fleet and an army in the Dardanelles.

What fleet destruction are you referring to?

17 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

So all those trillions of £, € and $ spend on the military in America, Europe, UK are useless against a backward terrorist nation who can smear havoc to the world energy supply, just with a bunch of garage made drones ? Looks that the 5 million à piece american missiles are of no use in current warefare ?

Not garage made drones. The Shahed-136 drone manufacturing rights have been bought by Russia which manufactures them renamed as the Geran-2 and is making around 6000 per month. The US has reversed engineered the Shahed-136 drone and is calling the one way attack drone the FLM 136. A very good drone and yes difficult to take down. The stockpile Iran has of these and the ability to continue to produce them is another thing.

8 hours ago, Tug said:

I doubt they can fully succeed in closing the straits fully the economic pressures and the strength of the united states military will prevent that…..that’s not to say they won’t get some licks it.(please don’t misconstrue my words with support for trumps folly)Thanks Donald ya dunce!

No problem Trumps got it sorted already

"Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday that “if Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!”

I wonder do they even have Truth Social in Iran perhaps someone should tell them King Trump has commanded that they remove them IMMEDIATELY!

According to another report I read Iran has the capability to deploy hundreds of mines the sort that sit on the sea bed until a ship passes over it. The report said they have already laid a few dozen. True or not I don't know but it seems feasible.

8 minutes ago, Bannoi said:

No problem Trumps got it sorted already

"Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday that “if Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!”

I wonder do they even have Truth Social in Iran perhaps someone should tell them King Trump has commanded that they remove them IMMEDIATELY!

According to another report I read Iran has the capability to deploy hundreds of mines the sort that sit on the sea bed until a ship passes over it. The report said they have already laid a few dozen. True or not I don't know but it seems feasible.

Iran mines are stealthier, submerged and bottom-lying mines that are designed to avoid surface detection. These mines are had to detect and sweep. I honestly doubt Trump has much knowledge of the development of mines. He is smarter than any generals and knows more about than anybody.

On 3/13/2026 at 8:41 AM, Tug said:

I doubt they can fully succeed in closing the straits fully the economic pressures and the strength of the united states military will prevent that…..that’s not to say they won’t get some licks it.(please don’t misconstrue my words with support for trumps folly)Thanks Donald ya dunce!

It is practically closed the moment they put real mines into it, and show real force behind their words, which they have already done. Ships can't sail through without any insurance, which does not cover this warfare, and the crews won't risk their lives going through.

The American military can't do anything about that.

20 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same thinking that resulted in the destruction of a fleet and an army in the Dardanelles.

Ukraine has demonstrated how low cost drones can hold a navy at bay.

True but Ukrainians are a bit more……tactical than a bunch of religious zealots I’m thinking back to the Iran Iraq war and their human wave style of fighting….im thinking the strait will be sorted out eventually (if dear leader stays out of it)please don’t misconstrue my statement as supporting Donald’s war of distraction because I don’t.