Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader has issued his inaugural statement after rumors circulated claiming he was incapacitated. Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, was reportedly hospitalized in critical condition at Sina University Hospital in Tehran, Iran, with heavy security presence. However, soon after these reports emerged, Iranian state media confirmed that the new leader would deliver an address to the nation.
In his televised statement, he demanded the immediate closure of all US military bases in the region, cautioning that failure to do so would result in retaliatory actions. Additionally, Khamenei reiterated the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a tactic to exert pressure on the US and Israel.
Expressing intentions to foster positive relations with neighboring nations, the statement conveyed a message of peaceful coexistence. However, Khamenei underscored the necessity of shutting down US military bases that pose a threat to Iran, clarifying that the country’s actions are directed solely at American military installations.
Acknowledging the support of the Iranian people against adversaries, the Supreme Leader extended condolences to those who suffered losses during conflicts, promising compensation for damages incurred. He emphasized a commitment to seeking justice for those who have been wronged and vowed to avenge the martyrs who sacrificed their lives.
Addressing personal tragedies within his own family, Khamenei shared his own experiences of loss to empathize with others, assuring that faith and patience would guide them through adversity. He reassured the populace that justice would be served for all fallen compatriots, not just the previous Supreme Leader.
The statement was issued following reports of Khamenei’s severe injuries earlier in the week. The Supreme Leader, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was appointed as his successor by Iranian state media.
Despite his low public profile and absence from elected or high-ranking governmental positions, Khamenei is known to have close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In 2019, he faced US sanctions for collaborating closely with IRGC entities to advance his father’s regional and domestic agendas.
Both Ali Khamenei and his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini disapproved of hereditary succession, particularly in light of Iran’s history with the Pahlavi monarchy, overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
