Iran on Thursday released a “first message” from its new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, hinting at an escalation of the war but providing few clues on his health or whereabouts.
In the remarks, Mr Khamenei said Iran would “inevitably continue” attacks across the region, which have thrown the entire Gulf into a state of war. He suggested Iran could seize US assets as reparations.
He called on Iran to avenge its “martyrs” and said the critical Strait of Hormuz should remain closed to put pressure on the US and Israel.
“All US bases should immediately be closed in the region and those bases will be attacked,” Mr Khamenei said in the statement, which was read aloud on state TV.
Mr Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was elected to succeed his assassinated father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei three days ago, sparking speculation about his health. Iranian officials have suggested he was injured in the air strike that killed several members of his family.
Thursday's message gave no further clues about Mr Khamenei's location or how much authority he is exercising over Iran's decentralised armed forces. He did not appear on camera and his voice was not heard.
The navy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, vowed to act on what he called "the order-of-the commander in chief" regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
“The leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must certainly be used,” the Khamenei statement said, referring to the blockade of a key oil route that has sent prices spiralling.
“We have 15 neighbouring countries on land or water and have always been and are willing to have warm and constructive relations with all of them,” the statement broadcast by Iran's state media said.
“However, the enemy has gradually established military and financial bases in some of these countries for years to ensure its dominance over the region,” Mr Khamenei added.
His claim that Iran has “simply attacked those bases” is rejected by Gulf countries, who have condemned attacks on energy facilities, airports and cities in which many have been killed or injured.
The statement said: “We still believe in the need for friendship between ourselves and those neighbours.”
The new leader said Iran would seek reparations for damage and deaths over the past 12 days of war. “We will seek compensation from the enemy, and if he refuses, we will take as much of his property as we determine, and if that is not possible, we will destroy the same amount of his property,” the statement said.
Iran on Monday named Mr Khamenei as supreme leader, after his father was killed in an attack by the US and Israel. He has previously only rarely appeared in public.
Mr Khamenei, 56, is the second son of the late supreme leader and had long been considered a potential successor due to his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary group.
Iran's supreme leader directly oversees the IRGC and sets the broad direction of foreign and domestic policy. President Masoud Pezehkian has little to no authority over military matters.
