Iran’s new leader threatens revenge on U.S., Israel

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has threatened retaliation against the United States and Israel in his first address to the nation.

“I assure everyone that we will not hesitate to avenge the blood of your martyrs,” he said, according to RIA Novosti.

Khamenei also demanded compensation from Washington and Tel Aviv for the damage caused by the strikes. He said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed, adding that Tehran would use it as leverage during the conflict.

He also called on countries in the Middle East to close U.S. military bases located on their territory as soon as possible, while stressing that Iran expects constructive relations with neighboring states.

“We warned in advance, even before the attacks began, that we would strike the bases. And now we are forced to continue doing so,” he said.

Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28, after which the country declared 40 days of mourning. Iran was governed for about a week by an interim leadership council before Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership.

Military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran have now entered their second week, with the sides continuing to exchange strikes.

Authorities in Tel Aviv say their goal is to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Washington has threatened to destroy Iran’s military capabilities and called on the country’s citizens to overthrow the current government.

Iran, in turn, says it is prepared to defend itself and currently sees no reason to resume negotiations.

Amid the escalation, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf—has nearly halted.

On February 28, Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes on Iran, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching strikes against Israel and against U.S. military facilities in Persian Gulf countries.