Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, made his first public remarks since succeeding his slain father, declaring that the country would avenge the blood of its “martyrs,” keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, and target U.S. military bases in the region. The statement was read on Iranian state television.
In a defiant address, Khamenei demanded the United States withdraw all military bases from the Middle East. He emphasized that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz—which passes along Iran’s coast and handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply—must remain shut to exert pressure on “the enemy.”
The remarks came amid a sharp escalation in regional hostilities. On Thursday, two tankers in the Iraqi port of Basra were engulfed in flames following attacks by suspected Iranian explosive-laden boats. Reuters verified images showing massive orange fireballs lighting up the night sky. At least one crew member was reported killed.
Earlier in the day, three other ships in the Gulf were also struck. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for an attack on a Thai bulk carrier, which was set ablaze for allegedly disobeying orders. Another container vessel near the United Arab Emirates was reportedly hit by an unknown projectile.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted after a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign at the end of February, has killed approximately 2,000 people and caused what the International Energy Agency calls the largest disruption to global energy supplies in history.
Despite claims by the U.S. and Israel of neutralizing much of Iran’s long-range weapon stockpile, reports indicate additional Iranian drones have entered Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Iran-backed militia, Hezbollah, launched its largest rocket salvo into Israel since the conflict began, prompting renewed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.
The developments signal a further intensification of the war in the region, heightening fears of prolonged disruption to global energy markets and a wider regional escalation.
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