In a message read on Iranian state television Thursday, Mojtaba Khamenei said the "lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used," defying calls by the U.S. and global markets to reopen the vital shipping lane for oil trade.
He also threatened that "other fronts" in the war "in which the enemy has little experience" would be opened if joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on the country continue, according to a quote from his message shared by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
This is the first public message from Khamenei since he was named as Iran's highest leader on Sunday, replacing his father, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in targeted U.S.-Israeli strikes on his compound on Feb. 28.
The war in Iran continues to escalate as the U.S. and Israel bomb locations inside the country and Tehran responds with drone and missile launches toward its Gulf neighbors. The attacks so far have killed seven American service members and wounded another 140.
In addition, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war nearly two weeks ago, upending the global oil market. Ships attempting to transit the narrow channel between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which about a fifth of the world's oil supply flows, have been under threat from Iranian drones, missiles and boats.
Three cargo ships were struck by unknown projectiles in the Gulf on Wednesday, with another three other ships hit on Thursday — one of which was claimed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. That brings the number of reported attacks against vessels operating near the Iranian coast to at least 19.
A day earlier, the U.S. military announced its forces had destroyed 16 mine-laying vessels in the waterway.
President Trump on Wednesday tried to brush away concerns, telling reporters the "straits are in great shape."
"We've knocked out all of their boats. They have some missiles, but not very many. I think we're in very good … we're in very good shape," he said at Joint Base Andrews.
In his message, Khamenei also said Iran would "avenge the blood" of those killed in the war, and that the U.S. must close all its military bases in the region or face attacks from Tehran.
"The countries of the region must close down the US military bases; otherwise, we will be forced to attack them," he said.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
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