ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has stayed defiant in his first message and called on his security forces to continue to block the Strait of Hormuz, depriving the world of vital oil exports which has resulted in high prices of oil.
“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used” against the enemy, the 56-year-old leader said in his written message which was read out on state TV.
Khamenei claimed in his message that he became aware of his new position through the state TV and thanked his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an American and Israeli strike on his compound on February 28, for services to the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei is the third Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic and came to power at a time when Iran has been engulfed in a devastating war that has left 3.2 million displaced across the country according to the UN Refugee Agency.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had a massive impact on the global economy as roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through it. It is a global energy lifeline.
The US and Israeli coalition has mostly targeted Iranian military capabilities.
Khamenei said Tehran will demand “reparations from the enemy.”
“If they refuse, we will take equivalent assets from them—or destroy an equivalent amount of their property,” he added.
In its response to the attacks on its soil, Iran has targeted US bases as well as civilian and military sites in the region, including oil fields.
Khamenei warned that they will open new fronts.
“Studies have also been conducted regarding opening other fronts where the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. These may be activated if the war continues and circumstances require it,” he threatened.
He also thanked the so-called "Resistance Front” - Iran’s proxies in the region - for their support to Tehran, including those operating in Iraq. The US-Israeli coalition has struck the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), numerous times. Iran’s proxies in Iraq have carried out hundreds of drone and missile attacks on the US consulate in Erbil, the city’s airport and civilian structures. The US embassy in Baghdad has also been targeted many times.
At least 165 students were killed in an attack on a school in Tehran during the first days of the war. Iran has blamed the US and Israel for the assault but neither of the countries have claimed responsibility.
“The crime that the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh Tayyeba School in Minab, as well as similar incidents, holds particular significance in this process,” he said.
“ I assure everyone that we will not forgo revenge for the blood of your martyrs,” he added.
People should participate in large numbers on Qods Day on Friday, said the leader, referring to an annual event in support of Palestine.
Updated at 5:28 pm