Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Revenge: ‘Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed’

Thursday, 12 March 2026 | Web Desk

In his first message since assuming office, Iran’s newly elected Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to avenge the blood of martyrs and declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, signaling a continuation of hardline policies toward the United States and its allies.

In an audio message addressed to the Iranian nation, the new Supreme Leader laid out his vision and priorities amid the ongoing conflict.

‘Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed’

“The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared, indicating that Iran will maintain control over the strategic waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.

The closure has already disrupted global energy supplies and forced Pakistan and other nations to seek alternative routes via the Red Sea.

‘I Am Nothing Without People’s Support’

The new Supreme Leader acknowledged the weight of his office and the importance of public backing:

“My office demands many things from me. The people have shown the world that Iranians are a great nation. Without the people’s support, I am nothing.”

‘Will Not Abandon Right to Revenge’

On the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, Mojtaba Khamenei struck a defiant tone:

“We will not abandon our right to take revenge for the blood of our martyrs. The enemy is targeting the Iranian people. We must defeat our enemy.”

He specifically mentioned the Minab school martyrs —over 150 schoolgirls killed in a US strike that the Pentagon has admitted was a “grave error” based on outdated intelligence.

‘Attacks Will Continue Until US Bases Close’

The Supreme Leader issued a clear warning regarding American military presence in the region:

“If American bases do not close, attacks will continue. We are only targeting military installations, and we will inevitably continue this.”

He emphasized that Iran’s retaliatory strikes are focused exclusively on military targets, despite what he described as the enemy’s targeting of civilians.

‘Believe in Friendly Relations with Neighbors’

Addressing regional relations, Mojtaba Khamenei expressed openness to diplomacy with neighboring countries:

“We believe in friendly relations with our neighbors.”

The statement may reassure Gulf states that have found themselves in the crossfire of the US-Iran conflict, though Iran has previously warned that ports and facilities in the region could become targets if Iranian ports are attacked.

‘National Unity Will Defeat the Enemy’

The Supreme Leader concluded with a call for national cohesion:

“National unity will defeat the enemy. Allah will help me guide the nation. We will not rest until we have avenged our martyrs, especially the martyrs of the Minab school.”

Continuity of Hardline Stance

The message signals that the Middle East situation does not seem to normalize soon. The vow to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed suggests the global economic disruption caused by the conflict is far from over.