Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Iranian supreme leader.
Morteza Nikoubazl | Nuphoto | Getty Images
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz the sea passage should be maintained as “a tool to put pressure on the enemy”, in his first public statement since his appointment.
Khamenei also said all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should close immediately and “these bases will be attacked,” in televised remarks translated by Reuters.
Oil price widespread gains following the statement, read by a state television channel. The transport of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has effectively stopped since the start of the war, causing global oil prices to soar. Iran warned on Wednesday that the price of a barrel could climb up to $200.
These are Khamenei’s first public comments since his appointment as Iran’s supreme leader on March 9 after the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the US-Israeli airstrikes which began in late February.
Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the attack on his father’s property, which killed the Ayatollah and other immediate family members.
“Iran will not refrain from avenging the blood of its martyrs,” Khamenei said, calling for the unity of the Iranian people.
Khamenei, 56, is considered harsher and conservative than his father, although he kept a low profile in Iran before being elected to succeed him as supreme leader.
American President Donald Trump expressed “disappointment” over his selection by senior Iranian clerics, telling Fox News: “I don’t believe he can live in peace.”
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Despite Trump’s comments, it is unclear whether the White House is targeting regime change in Tehran as one of the main goals of its military operation. Experts say airstrikes alone are unlikely to be enough to topple Iran’s leadership.
There is no indication that US-Israeli strikes against Iran’s critical and military infrastructure are coming to an end. air and sea attacks intensify this week. Iran also stepped up its retaliatory attacks this week, attack oil tankers in or near the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei said Thursday that Iran would seek compensation from its enemies “or destroy their assets accordingly.”