Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping channel, in his first statement.
The first statement of Khamenei since his appointment was read by a news anchor. Khamenei did not appear on camera.
He then said that Iran has a policy of “friendship” with neighbouring countries, but advised them to close American bases, which he says Iran will continue to target.
Mojtaba Khamenei also said Iran will “avenge the blood of Iranians” who have been killed.
He said this is especially true in the case in Minab, where a US strike near a school killed 168 people, including around 110 children.
Mojtaba Khamenei was named as Iran’s new supreme leader on 8 March.
He’s the successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war with the US and Iran, on 28 February.
In addition to his father, Mojtaba Khamenei’s mother and wife were also killed in the US-Israeli strikes.
