Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei threatens 'the enemy', vows Hormuz will stay closed as a 'pressure' tool

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message on Thursday, March 12, since assuming the country’s top leadership role, warning that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as tensions escalated in the region.

The statement, broadcast on Iranian state television, also warned that US bases across neighboring countries should be shut down or risk being targeted.

Khamenei’s message came days after he succeeded his father, the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following a strike linked to the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran.

The remarks outlined Tehran’s stance on retaliation, regional relations and the conflict’s impact on key global energy routes.

Mojtaba Khamenei urges unity and warns enemies in address

In a message read by an anchor on Iranian state television, Mojtaba Khamenei called for unity among the Iranian people and outlined Tehran’s position on the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

Khamenei said that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, would remain closed as part of Iran’s strategy in the conflict, describing the move as a form of pressure against its adversaries.

The new supreme leader also warned that US military bases in neighboring countries could face attacks if they remained operational.

“We have had a good relationship with all these 15 neighboring countries. … We only targeted these military bases (and) we will continue, we will have to continue and do so,” he said in the address.

"These countries must make their duty clear to the invaders of our beloved homeland and the killers of our people," he added, recommending that regional governments close US bases “as soon as possible.”

In the same message, Khamenei warned that Iran would seek compensation for damage caused during the ongoing conflict.

“We will ask for compensation from the enemy. If we can’t get compensation from the enemy, we will destroy their properties as much as they have destroyed ours,” he said.

Although Khamenei did not explicitly name the United States or Israel, he repeatedly referred to “the enemy” in the address.

Donald Trump downplays oil price increase amid conflict

President Donald Trump on Thursday downplayed concerns about rising oil prices tied to the conflict, arguing that the United States benefited from higher energy prices due to its role as a major oil producer.

“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

He said his primary focus remained on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World,” Trump wrote. “I won’t ever let that happen!” he added.

Trump’s comments came as the International Energy Agency warned that the conflict could trigger what it described as the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,” as Iranian actions continued to affect shipping routes in the region.