New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said Iran should continue ‘blocking the Strait of Hormuz’ in his first statement since his election, read out on Iranian State television on Thursday (12 March).
Khamenei, who is still yet to appear in public, told Iranians, "we will not forgo revenge for the blood of your martyrs” who have been killed in the conflict with the U.S. and Israel in the statement, which was read out by a presenter.
The price of oil rose to over $100 a barrel on Thursday as attacks on sea traffic in the Strait of Hormuz escalated. At least six ships have now been targeted in the vital sea passage, which lies between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
In the statement, Khamenei also demanded the U.S. close its regional military bases, which have been used to launch attacks on Iran.
“I advise that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because they must have realised by now that the claim of establishing security and peace by America was nothing but a lie,” he said.
Khamenei said Tehran would continue striking American bases in the region, while striving to avoid hitting the nations hosting such bases.
But he added: "These countries must clarify their stance regarding the aggressors against our dear homeland and the murderers of our people."
The statement began with a tribute to his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israel airstrikes on 28 February.
"I had the privilege to visit his body after his martyrdom. What I saw was a mountain of solidity, and I heard that his remaining sound fist was clenched,” Khamenei said.
The 56-year-old added that he found out about his appointment as new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts at the same time as the public via television.
Following in the footsteps of his father Khamenei and Iran’s first Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini was a "difficult task," he added.
But Khamenei said he was inspired by the resolve the Iranian people had shown in the days after his father’s death. The Iranian people had shown “steadfastness, bravery, and presence,” during the period when Iran was without a leader, he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for deeper solidarity among Turkic states amid rising geopolitical tensions and rapid technologi...
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is participating in the informal summit of the ...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Was...
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a ...
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum, due to begin in Baku on Sunday (17 May), is an ideal opportunity for Azerbaijan to show the world what s...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for deeper solidarity among Turkic states amid rising geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change.
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a large-scale fraud and corruption scheme linked to labour migration to South Korea, with estimated damages reaching $90 million.
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum, due to begin in Baku on Sunday (17 May), is an ideal opportunity for Azerbaijan to show the world what successful post-conflict urban development looks like, a representative for the conference has said.
Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the U.S. military blockade of Iran’s southern ports could trigger a new global financial crisis as the Tehran-Washington standoff around the strategic Strait of Hormuz persists.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
When Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for Beijing on Tuesday, he brought two cabinet members whose presence in China would have seemed unlikely a year ago, highlighting an unusual moment in U.S.–China relations.
The Eurovision Song Contest opened in Vienna on Tuesday amid heightened political tensions, as Israel competed in the first semi-final despite a boycott by five European broadcasters over the war in Gaza.
The Spanish government has issued a defiant message to Silicon Valley, confirming it will push ahead with stringent new legislation designed to make social networks and Artificial Intelligence (AI) demonstrably safer.
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will take place twice a month as part of efforts to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a large-scale fraud and corruption scheme linked to labour migration to South Korea, with estimated damages reaching $90 million.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for deeper solidarity among Turkic states amid rising geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment