Iran's new leader's first statement: Will not give up on revenge, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, and new fronts will be opened if necessary

According to reports from CCTV News and Xinhua News Agency, on March 12 local time, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement since taking office as Supreme Leader, systematically elaborating on issues such as the direction of national development, regional situations, and responses to external challenges.

Mojtaba Khamenei clearly stated that Iran will continue to adopt strategic measures, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and will open new fronts when necessary. He made the statement through Iranian state television:

“We have studied opening other fronts that are inexperienced and highly vulnerable to attack by the enemy. If the state of war continues and is in line with national interests, these fronts will be activated. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must, of course, continue to be used.”

He also stated that all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should be closed immediately, or these bases will be attacked.

“We believe in friendly relations with neighboring countries and will only target enemy bases, and we will have to continue doing so.”

Mojtaba Khamenei expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the injured in the war, promising to provide medical and economic compensation to the affected people. He stated that Iran will continue to hold the enemy accountable and seek "revenge" for the victims.

At the time of the statement's release, international oil prices, benchmarked by Brent crude, surged again towards the $100 mark, with an intraday increase of nearly 8%.

Previously, on the evening of the 8th local time, the Iranian Assembly of Experts issued a statement announcing the election of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran