Four days after his appointment as its new supreme leader, the world finally got a first glimpse of his worldview.
However, Khamenei, now elevated to the rank of ayatollah and called by his supporters the “exalted leader” of the Islamic Revolution, did not appear on video or listen to an audio message. Instead, he published a lengthy text message outlining his views on the course of the war, praising the Iranian armed forces and demanding reparations from those who attacked his country.
The message spread quickly through a new Telegram channel his office created and was full of symbolism and coded messages, aimed primarily at his supporter base.
The surprise
Khamenei said he learned of his appointment on state television, implying that he too was taken by surprise. At the same time, he used particularly poetic language to describe his father, saying that he could see his body after his death, with his fist clenched, which he said was a final sign of resistance, according to the CNN report.
The message contained familiar war rhetoric: praising the “resistance front,” calling on neighboring countries to close American bases, while threatening continued attacks on American interests in the region. At the same time, he reiterated his position that the Straits of Hormuz remain closed to world trade.
Having suddenly found himself in the leadership spotlight after years of behind-the-scenes activity, Khamenei used the message to give a first glimpse of his political positions, which bear a strong resemblance to those of his father.
However, the key question remains unanswered: Iranian public opinion and the international community have yet to see or hear from the new leader, who was reportedly injured in the first days of the war. While the announcement may satisfy his supporters, it does not answer who really holds the reins of power.
