Mojtaba Khamenei stated that the road closure is an instrument of pressure against the US and Israel in his first public speech
Iran’s new supreme leader, defended this Thursday (March 12, 2026) the maintenance of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as an instrument of political and military pressure. In his first public speech since taking office, Ali Khamenei’s successor stated that blocking the road is a necessary lever against what he called “aggressions” the United States and Israel.
The message was read by a presenter from the state broadcaster. Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the start of the conflict. The Iranian leader on the 1st day of by the United States and Israel against Iran, on February 28.
According to CNNKhamenei signaled that the regime is studying the expansion of the conflict to new areas. “Studies were also carried out on the opening of other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and in which it will be highly vulnerable”stated the leader, indicating that the activation of these new battlefields will depend on the evolution of the war.
Khamenei, son of the Ayatollah, was chosen by Iran as the country’s new supreme leader, on Sunday (8 March) by Iran’s Assembly of Experts. The body is made up of 88 clerics responsible for choosing the highest authority of the Islamic Republic.
The supreme leader also declared that he maintains good relations with neighboring countries. “We have had a good relationship with all these 15 neighboring countries, we have only attacked these military bases and we will continue, we will have to continue and we will continue to do so”he stated.
Khamenei stated that he will demand compensation from the United States due to the attacks and added: “If we don’t get compensation, we will destroy their properties as much as they destroyed ours.”. The speech also called for unity among the Iranian people in the face of the ongoing conflict.
