The new Supreme Leader of Iran, , addressed his first message to the Iranian people and the Muslim world, after assuming the leadership of the Islamic Republic of , in a period of intense . In his speech, he paid tribute to the “martyr leader” Ali Khamenei, promising to continue the path set by both he and the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini.
The new leader began his message with a religious invocation and prayer, expressing his condolences for the death of his predecessor and seeking divine blessings for the Iranian people, Muslims and those who serve the Islamic Revolution. He admitted that taking over the leadership of a position held by two such iconic figures is a “heavy responsibility”, stressing that his success will depend “on the support of God and the people”.
The central point of his speech was the role of society in maintaining the power of the state. As he mentioned, the most important legacy of the previous leaders was the continuous participation of the people in public life and the trust in their power.
According to him, the reaction of Iranians during the recent period without leadership proved the endurance and foresight of the society, confirming that “the people are the guarantee of the country’s strength.”
Possible blockade of the Straits of Hormuz
In his message he called for unity and active participation of citizens in all areas — political, social, cultural and educational — stressing that without collective action no institution can function effectively. At the same time, he underlined the importance of solidarity between citizens and called on government agencies to strengthen support for those affected by the war.
He placed particular emphasis on the military aspect of the conflict, thanking the armed forces and allies of the so-called “Resistance Front”. He argued that these forces have prevented enemy dominance and warned that deterrence will continue, even with measures such as , if the conflict escalates.
“I assure that we will not fail to avenge the blood of the martyrs.”
At the same time, he expressed gratitude to Tehran’s allies in the region, making special reference to Hezbollah, the resistance in Iraq and the stance of Yemen, which he described as critical partners in the fight against the “Zionist threat”.
In his message to neighboring countries, Iran’s new leader called on regional governments to reconsider their cooperation with foreign military forces.
He claimed that some military bases were used for attacks against his country and warned that Iran would continue to target such facilities, but separated such actions from its relations with the peoples of neighboring states.
“I recommend that they close these bases as soon as possible, because by now they should have realized that the claims of the United States to ensure peace and security are nothing but a lie.”
Finally, addressing the Iranians affected by the conflicts, he pledged to support the injured and the families of the victims, as well as to repair the damage to homes and businesses. At the same time, he warned that Tehran would seek reparations for the damages, including confiscation of assets if deemed necessary.
Concluding his first speech as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei asked for prayers for Iran’s “decisive victory” and expressed hope that the country would be led to “days of honor and glory” while remaining true to the principles of the Islamic Revolution.
