(VIDEO) Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei Issues Defiant First Statement as Supreme Leader

Tehran — Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public statement Thursday, vowing to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against enemies and warning that attacks on U.S. military bases in the region would continue, as the war with the United States and Israel entered its 13th day.

The statement, read aloud on state television rather than delivered in person by Khamenei himself, called for national unity in the face of aggression and praised Iran’s armed forces for preventing domination or division of the country. A photograph of the 56-year-old cleric appeared on screen during the broadcast, but questions lingered about his health and whereabouts following reports of injuries sustained in the opening strikes of the conflict.

In the remarks, attributed directly to Khamenei, he declared that the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments—must remain closed as a “tool to pressure the enemy.” He demanded the immediate closure of all U.S. bases in the Middle East, threatening further attacks if they did not comply. Khamenei emphasized Iran’s desire for friendship with neighboring countries while insisting that operations would target only American installations.

“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” the statement said, according to translations by Reuters and other outlets. He referenced specific incidents, including the deaths of children in attacks, and pledged that enemies would “pay the price.” Khamenei also claimed he learned of his appointment as Supreme Leader via state television, underscoring the chaotic circumstances of his ascension.

The broadcast came amid intense speculation about Khamenei’s condition. Multiple reports, including from The New York Times citing Israeli and Iranian officials, indicated he suffered leg injuries—possibly including a fractured foot and face wounds—during the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other family members including his wife and relatives. He has not appeared publicly or on video since his selection by the Assembly of Experts on March 9, fueling rumors of more severe injuries, including unconfirmed claims of a coma or leg amputation circulated in some Western media.

Iranian officials and state-affiliated outlets have pushed back, with one source close to President Masoud Pezeshkian insisting Khamenei is “safe and sound.” The absence from public view has been attributed to recovery needs or security concerns, as elite NOPO counterterrorism units now guard the new leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969 in Mashhad, is the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled as Supreme Leader since 1989 until his death at 86 in the war’s first hours. A hard-line cleric who studied in Qom and fought in the Iran-Iraq War as a teenager, Mojtaba long served as a close adviser to his father while maintaining a low public profile. His selection marked an unprecedented dynastic succession in the Islamic Republic, defying traditional norms against hereditary leadership and drawing sharp criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the choice “unacceptable” and a “lightweight.”

The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body of Shia clerics, convened amid ongoing bombardment to select him swiftly, signaling continuity and defiance against external pressure. Analysts described the move as a provocation, with one expert calling it a “blunt middle finger” to demands for regime change or veto power over Iran’s leadership.

The war, dubbed by some as the “Ramadan War,” erupted Feb. 28 with massive joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership compounds, military sites, and infrastructure. It has escalated into broader regional conflict, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes, closing key maritime routes, and threatening further escalation. Oil prices have spiked amid fears over the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil passes.

Khamenei’s statement reinforced Iran’s strategy of asymmetric pressure, including proxy operations and threats to energy flows, while praising the military’s resilience. He vowed to open additional fronts if necessary and obtain “compensation” from adversaries.

The remarks drew immediate international reactions. U.S. officials dismissed them as bluster from a weakened regime, while allies in the region expressed concern over potential disruptions to global shipping. The war has already caused significant casualties, with strikes hitting civilian areas including schools, and displaced populations amid infrastructure damage.

Khamenei’s elevation comes at a pivotal moment for Iran, facing existential threats from sustained aerial campaigns. His background in the clerical establishment and proximity to the IRGC positions him to maintain hard-line policies, but his lack of public experience and current invisibility raise questions about command effectiveness during crisis.

As the conflict rages, with no clear end in sight, Mojtaba Khamenei’s first message—delivered indirectly—aims to project strength and unity. Whether he can consolidate power and navigate the war remains uncertain, as Iran balances defiance with survival in one of its most perilous chapters.