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Iran’s new supreme leader issues worrying threat in first statement
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has allegedly issued his first public statement after reports circulated claiming he had fallen into a coma and lost a leg following the strikes that killed his father and other family members.
The message aired on Iranian state television Thursday, with an anchor reading the lengthy statement while a still image of the 56-year-old leader appeared on screen. No explanation was given for why Khamenei did not appear in person or read the message himself.
The statement surfaced days after Khamenei failed to attend his own succession rally in Tehran on Monday. He has not been seen publicly since being appointed as successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike shortly after the war began.
Khamenei vows revenge and threatens to close Strait of Hormuz
In the televised message, Khamenei vowed retaliation for those killed during the conflict and warned that Iran could continue using one of the world’s most critical shipping routes as leverage.
“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” the supreme leader said, per CBS News. “The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
He also praised Iranian fighters responding to attacks by the United States and Israel.
“Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it,” he added.
Khamenei said Iran would seek compensation from its enemies and warned of further action if those demands are rejected.
“If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent,” he said.
He also warned that the strategic waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global energy markets could remain a pressure point in the conflict.
“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency,” Khamenei said.
Conflicting reports swirl over Khamenei’s health
The televised statement arrived after an Iranian source told The Sun that Khamenei was actually in a coma and receiving intensive care at Sina University Hospital in Tehran.
“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” the source alleged.
Other Iranian sources disputed the claims, insisting Khamenei suffered only minor injuries during the first wave of airstrikes. Those injuries were described as a fractured foot, a bruised eye, and cuts to his face while he sheltered inside a highly secure location.
In the statement, Khamenei confirmed he had seen his father’s body after the strike that killed him.
“I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” Khamenei said of his father. “What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”
He also confirmed that several family members died in the same attack, including his wife, one of his sisters, his niece, and the husband of another sister.