Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong warning to the United States in his first message after being selected as the new supreme leader of Iran. He urged Middle Eastern Arab countries to close US military bases located on their territory.
The message was broadcast Thursday (March 12) on Iranian state television. In the statement, Khamenei vowed to avenge those killed in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.
Khamenei said Iran would never step back from avenging the blood of what he described as the country’s martyrs. He emphasized that the retaliation would not only be for the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but also for every Iranian citizen killed in the attacks.
He also pledged financial support for affected families and promised free medical treatment for those injured in the ongoing conflict.
Addressing Middle Eastern countries, the Iranian leader said Tehran wants to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with its neighbors. However, he warned that all US military bases in the region must be closed quickly, otherwise Iranian attacks targeting those bases could continue.
Khamenei also mentioned the strategic Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that keeping the key shipping route closed could increase pressure on Iran’s enemies.
He further claimed that armed groups in Yemen and Iraq have expressed support for Iran. According to him, some groups in Iraq are ready to assist Iran, while resistance forces in Yemen may also play an active role.
Khamenei also praised the Iranian military for continuing to perform their duties with courage despite difficult circumstances and multiple pressures.
According to reports, during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed. On March 8, Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, as the new supreme leader. He has not yet appeared publicly since taking the position.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported, citing Iranian and Israeli officials, that Mojtaba Khamenei was also injured during the first day of the attacks.
