Iran’s new Supreme leader says Strait of Hormuz must remain closed

Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has made his first public address since the start of the war, vowing to maintain a hard line against the United States and its allies.

“We will not forgo avenging the blood of the martyrs. The Strait of Hormuz should still remain closed,” Khamenei declared, directly defying calls from US President Donald Trump and international markets to reopen the vital oil trade route, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Addressing the deaths of those in Minab, he insisted that Iran would seek compensation and demanded the immediate closure of all American military bases in the region, warning that “these bases would be targeted.”

Khamenei stressed the importance of national unity, stating, “The nation’s unity — which becomes most visible in times of hardship — must not be disrupted,” and urged that this unity be preserved “by setting aside points of dispute.”

He outlined Iran’s position regarding retaliation, saying: “We will, in any case, obtain compensation from the enemy. If they refuse, we will take from their assets to the extent we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of their property.”

On Iran’s broader regional strategy, Khamenei said the country was “only targeting military bases” in neighbouring countries “out of necessity” and emphasised that “we believe in friendship with our neighbours.”

By Sabina Mammadli