Iran’s newly appointed leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed that Iran will fight on in his first official statement since assuming leadership following the assassination of his father. However, he did not speak on camera, issuing only a written statement amid conflicting reports about his health.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former leader, Ali Khamenei, addressed the nation amid the escalating war, vowing continued resistance against foreign pressures and threats.
In his first public remarks, the new leader stressed Iran would “avenge the blood of martyrs” and ensure national dignity in the face of aggression.
He explicitly referenced the need to respond to attacks that have killed civilians, including children.
Khamenei stated Iran will persist in its defensive posture and that no external force should expect Tehran to capitulate.
He emphasised that the nation’s resolve is unbroken, even as regional tensions deepen.
A major theme of his message was Iran’s strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments.
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Khamenei announced the strait would remain closed to adversaries until Iranian demands are met.
He also insisted that all US military bases in the region must be shut or face continued attacks, signalling a broader regional campaign beyond Iran’s borders.
The new Leader thanked the nation’s military personnel and allied groups for their ongoing efforts.
He reinforced Iran’s narrative of defending its homeland and resisting foreign domination.
Leadership transition
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was formally appointed by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8, just eight days after joint US‑Israeli strikes killed his father.
He is the third Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the Islamic Republic’s history and the first son to succeed his father in this role.
Despite his public statement, Mojtaba has not appeared in person since the appointment, fuelling speculation about his condition. Iranian officials have described him as “safe and sound” but state media has remained vague about the nature of his injuries.
However, Western media has claimed that he was severely injured in the attack that killed his family members and that he may have lost a leg.
Just hours before his statement was announced as being due for publication by Iranian media, several Western news sites ran a headline claiming Mojtaba was in a coma, highlighting just how confused the situation is for news platforms amid the fog of war and conflicting propaganda.
This lack of visibility has created uncertainty abroad, even as senior officials and military corps pledged allegiance to him.
US President Donald Trump said he believes Iran’s newly appointed Leader is still alive “in some form,” Fox News reported.
“I think he probably is. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Trump said in an interview scheduled to air Friday.
