Iran's New Leader Mojtaba's First Statement: Extremely Hardline Orders to "Blockade the Strait of Hormuz," Vows Never to Compromise in Avenging His Father

As the “Ramadan War” between the US-Israel coalition and Iran intensifies, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first public statement on March 12 via national television. In his speech, he showed a resolutely tough stance, not only ordering the continued blockade of the vital global energy route, the Strait of Hormuz, but also vowing to exact “blood debt” for the deaths of his predecessor’s father and family, and warning neighboring countries to immediately close U.S. military bases.
(Background: Iran threatens to push oil prices over $200, attack two ships in the Strait of Hormuz)
(Additional context: Iran’s president proposes three conditions for a ceasefire, signaling a possible diplomatic thaw?)

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• Cutting off energy lifelines, hard blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
• Mourning his father, vowing “blood debt blood repayment”
• Warning Arab neighbors: immediately close U.S. military bases

The geopolitical storm in the Middle East continues to escalate, posing severe challenges to the global energy market. On March 12, 2026, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first public address since taking office, broadcast via Iran’s state television to the nation and the international community.

Notably, Mojtaba did not appear in person or conduct a live broadcast; instead, a news anchor read his written and recorded messages. This aligns with reports that he was injured in the US-Israel attack but remains “lightly wounded and operational.” Despite his absence from the camera, the statement conveyed an extremely tough and uncompromising tone.

Cutting off energy lifelines, hard blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

In his statement, Mojtaba explicitly ordered Iran to continue using the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a key pressure tool against the US and its allies. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments. This move is expected to further drive up global oil prices and escalate regional tensions.

In response, the US and its allies have begun countermeasures. Reports indicate that the US Central Command has recently been actively clearing Iranian mine-laying vessels in the area, attempting to break Iran’s de facto blockade of this energy artery.

Mourning his father, vowing “blood debt blood repayment”

This conflict, dubbed the “Ramadan War,” carries heavy family bloodshed for Mojtaba. After the death of his predecessor and father, Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike at the end of February and early March, Mojtaba was swiftly appointed by experts’ council on March 8-9, under the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In his speech, Mojtaba paid special tribute to his father, describing him as “mountain-strong,” and mentioned that martyrs including his mother, wife, and sister all demanded revenge. He declared firmly that Iran would not back down and would seek retribution from the enemy; if the US refuses, Iran will destroy enemy assets of equivalent value, fulfilling the blood debt.

Warning Arab neighbors: immediately close U.S. military bases

Beyond confronting the US and Israel, Mojtaba also targeted Middle Eastern countries hosting U.S. troops. He strongly urged regional nations to close U.S. military bases, criticizing these bases as tools for U.S. control in the region, and warned that Iran would continue to legally strike these bases if they do not heed the warning.

To consolidate internal authority, Mojtaba praised Iran’s military and the “Resistance Front” at the end of his statement for delivering heavy blows to enemies during the toughest times, hinting that Iran might open “other new fronts” in the future if it serves national interests. Analysts suggest that this strongly worded official statement has shattered expectations of a ceasefire following leadership change, and the Middle East situation may face even more intense turbulence.