Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Retaliation, Threatens Hormuz Closure and Strikes on Enemy Assets
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first wartime statement on Thursday, warning that Iran will seek compensation from its enemies for the damage inflicted during the conflict and threatening further attacks on regional targets, including the continued use of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz.
 |
| Image Via: BRICS News |
“One point I must emphasize is that, in any case, we will obtain compensation from the enemy,” Khamenei said. “If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent.”
The remarks represent the strongest statement yet from Iran’s new leadership since he was confirmed as the country’s third supreme leader following the killing of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict.
Khamenei also signaled that Iran intends to maintain pressure on global energy routes, suggesting that Tehran will continue using the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass.
“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used,” he said, indicating that Iranian authorities had studied additional military options beyond the waterway.
“Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable,” he added. “Their activation will take place if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency.”
Khamenei framed the conflict as a defensive war against foreign aggression, praising Iranian forces for resisting attacks on the country.
“Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country,” he said.
In one of the most striking passages of the message, the new leader vowed revenge for every Iranian killed during the war and said retaliation would not be limited to the assassination of his father.
“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” Khamenei said. “The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
He added that some retaliation had already begun but warned the process would continue until Iran considered justice achieved.
“A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases,” he said.
Khamenei also singled out the attack on the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, which Iranian officials say killed numerous civilians including children, describing it as a crime that would receive particular attention in Iran’s retaliation.
“We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children,” he said. “Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab holds a special status in this process of accountability.”
He called on Gulf Arabs to ‘shut down’ US bases.
“These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie,” Khamenei said.
His statement aired as an Iranian attack targeted Israel. Khamenei said only a limited part of Iran’s retaliation had been realized so far in the war.
The message comes at a moment when the war has already spread beyond direct military exchanges to include attacks on shipping routes, regional infrastructure and energy markets.
Iran’s leadership has previously signaled that the Strait of Hormuz remains one of its most powerful strategic levers, as any sustained disruption there could trigger major global oil supply shocks.
Khamenei’s statement therefore signals that Tehran is preparing for a prolonged confrontation, combining military retaliation, pressure on maritime chokepoints and the potential expansion of the conflict into additional fronts across the region.
If you like our reporting, you can add Indianrepublic.in as a preferred source on google here.