Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader has refuted allegations of orchestrating attacks against a NATO partner in his most recent declaration. Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message on Friday to mark the beginning of the Persian New Year, designating it as a year focused on a “strong economy amidst national unity and security.” In his third official statement since assuming leadership, he rejected any involvement of Iran or its associates in recent assaults on Turkey and Oman, instead pointing fingers at the “Zionist enemy” for staging ‘false flag’ operations to implicate Iran.
Khamenei labeled these actions as a tactic employed by the Zionist enemy to sow discord between Iran and neighboring nations, cautioning that similar events may unfold elsewhere. Despite Iran’s military actions in the Middle East, he emphasized Iran’s commitment to fostering harmonious ties with neighboring countries.
The 56-year-old Supreme Leader has not made a public appearance following his ascent to power after the passing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli attack on Tehran. While Iranian officials stated Mojtaba sustained minor injuries in the same strike, US and Israeli sources have reported his injuries as severe.
US President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about Mojtaba’s status, questioning his existence and advising him to act wisely if alive. Following reports of Khamenei’s hospitalization at Sina University Hospital in Tehran, Iranian state media announced his forthcoming address. In his initial written statement on March 12, Khamenei demanded the immediate closure of all US bases in the region under the threat of retaliation. He also affirmed the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to exert pressure on the US and Israel.
Expressing empathy for those who have suffered losses, Khamenei shared his personal tragedies of losing his father and wife, and his sister’s loss of her child and husband. He assured retribution for all fallen citizens, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice for every martyr, not just the deceased Supreme Leader.
In a subsequent statement on March 16, Khamenei instructed officials and heads of state institutions appointed during his father’s tenure to continue their duties without needing renewal. His appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader was announced on March 8, highlighting his low-key profile, lack of elected or senior governmental roles, and minimal public exposure.
Despite his limited public presence, Mojtaba is known to have strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and faced US sanctions in 2019 for collaborating closely with IRGC leaders to advance his father’s regional goals. Both Ali Khamenei and his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini criticized hereditary succession, particularly in the context of the ousted Pahlavi monarchy during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
