Iran’s New Leader Vows Continued Strikes, Maintains Strait of Hormuz Closure
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Mujtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, pledged to continue attacks on U.S. military bases in the region and maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the Gulf and sending shockwaves through global energy markets. The announcement, delivered via Iranian state television on Thursday, marks Khamenei’s first public statement since succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in recent strikes.
Khamenei framed the attacks as retaliation for the deaths of Iranians, stating U.S. bases in neighboring countries were being targeted because they were used “to kill our sons.” He called for the closure of these bases, urging regional nations to expel U.S. forces, claiming promises of security from Washington were “merely lies.”
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, is being utilized as “a tool to pressure the enemy,” according to Khamenei, and will remain in effect as long as the “American-Israeli war” against Iran continues. He indicated, however, that the policy could be adjusted based on Iran’s “interests.”
The conflict, which began on February 28th with strikes on Tehran, has already had a dramatic impact on the world’s energy supply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) described the situation as the “largest disruption in history” to the global oil market. Brent crude prices surged above $100 a barrel on Thursday following attacks on tankers in Iraqi waters and the evacuation of a major export terminal in Oman.
According to the IEA’s monthly report released Thursday, the war has affected approximately 7.5% of global oil supplies, reducing them by an estimated 8 million barrels per day this month – a total of roughly 250 million barrels. Flows through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted by over 90%. Regional producers have been forced to curtail a combined 10 million barrels per day of production despite attempts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to utilize alternative export routes.
In response, IEA member states agreed Wednesday to release an unprecedented 400 million barrels from emergency reserves in an attempt to stabilize the market. The IEA also noted that high prices, flight cancellations, and economic uncertainty have slowed global consumption growth to its lowest projection in a year.
Khamenei also expressed support for regional allies, thanking Lebanon’s Hezbollah and “the resistance front in Iraq” for their assistance. He vowed to seek compensation for war damages, threatening to seize or destroy assets if the “enemy” refuses to pay.
While asserting a desire for good relations with its 15 neighboring countries, Khamenei accused adversaries of establishing military and financial bases in the region to pursue “regional hegemony.” He claimed recent attacks targeted only these bases, not the countries themselves.
