Mojtaba Khamenei issues first statement as Iran's supreme leader

On March 12, 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, released his first official statement following his succession of his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statement was read on Iranian state television, as the new leader has not made a public appearance since reports emerged of him sustaining a fractured foot during recent US and Israeli airstrikes. According to the Iranian ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, the same military operations resulted in the deaths of the former leader, Ali Khamenei, and five other family members. In his address, Mojtaba Khamenei threatened to target American military bases in the region unless they are immediately closed. He also advocated for the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure tactic against perceived enemies. Additionally, he called for national unity and the commemoration of Quds Day while pledging to avenge Iranian lives lost in recent strikes, specifically referencing events in Minab.