Strait of Hormuz blockade should continue says Iran's new Supreme Leader: Middle East conflict on 12 March

Strait of Hormuz blockade should continue says Iran's new Supreme Leader: Middle East conflict on 12 March
People walk past a banner depicting Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and previous Supreme Leaders, in Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026
Reuters

Iran should continue “blocking the Strait of Hormuz,” while the U.S. should “shut” its Middle East military bases, new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday in his first speech since being elected. He is still yet to appear in public, and a broadcaster read out his words.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader finally speaks 

Four days after Mojtaba Khamenei was announced as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, the 56-year-old son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei finally broke his silence. In a written statement that was read out on Iranian state television, Khamenei gave his backing to the continued blocking of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded the U.S. close its regional military bases.

Khamenei also paid tribute to his father who was killed in U.S.-Israeli air strikes on February 28, as well as Iranians who have died in fighting since. “We will not forgo revenge for the blood of your martyrs,” he said.

Attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz continue 

At least five ships have now been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran persists in its attempt to stop marine traffic moving through the sea passage. 

Boats with explosives, believed to be Iranian, attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters on Wednesday (11 March), killing one crew member. Meanwhile, Türkiye said on Thursday that 15 vessels from the country remained stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iran pulls out of 2026 World Cup 

Tehran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced on Wednesday that the Iranian men’s football team would be withdrawing from the tournament set to take place in the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico, later this year. 

Speaking on state television, Donyamali said the U.S.’s assassination of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meant Iran could “under no circumstances” participate in the FIFA event. 

Iranian internet blackout enters 13th day 

Global internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks said that Iran’s internet shutdown had entered its 13th day. The London-based independent digital rights watchdog said the blackout was one of the longest ever recorded. 

Businesses close down Gulf operations 

Citibank announced it was closing branches in the United Arab Emirates until 14 March as a precautionary measure on Thursday.

Bloomberg meanwhile has told staff based in the Gulf, including its regional headquarters in Dubai, that they can temporarily relocate and work elsewhere.

Iran has repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on the Gulf states since the U.S. and Israel first struck Tehran 13 days ago.

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