Tehran, March 16: Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reiterated demands for compensation from the country’s ‘enemies.’ According to the Xinhua news agency, Khamenei stated in a post on his Telegram account, “We will demand compensation from the enemy, and if they refuse, we will seize as much of their property as we deem necessary. If that is not possible, we will destroy an equal amount of their property.”
In his first message to the nation, Khamenei called for continued resistance and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He vowed to avenge those who lost their lives in the conflict, asserting that Tehran would not back down from avenging its martyrs’ blood.
Local media reported that this message was read by a female presenter on Iranian state television. The message also indicated that the option to close the Strait of Hormuz should remain on the table, warning that Iran could open other fronts if necessary.
Furthermore, the message expressed Iran’s desire for friendly relations with neighboring countries, stating that it would only target locations from which it is attacked.
According to Iran International, the message from the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei, was issued without any information regarding his location, health, or physical condition.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been injured and forced into hiding as the country’s military leadership struggles amid escalating U.S. attacks. During a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth noted that Iran’s leadership is facing increasing pressure due to ongoing military operations.
It is noteworthy that on February 28, Israel and the U.S. conducted attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of the then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Following Ali Khamenei’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on March 8.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
