Mojtaba Khamenei made his first address as Iran's Supreme Leader. He was heard, but not seen
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei made his first public address since his appointment by the Assembly of Experts. However, he did not appear on air himself — his statement was simply read out on state television.
Mojtaba Khamenei (center) in 2019. Photo: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
In his address, Khamenei stated that the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil supplies pass, must remain closed as an "instrument of pressure."
He also noted that Iran seeks to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries but stressed that Iranian military forces only strike American military bases on their territory. According to him, all US bases in the region must be immediately closed, otherwise they will be subject to attacks.
He also threatened to open "other fronts" in the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel if hostilities continue.
Khamenei has not appeared in public once in the several days since he was announced as the country's new leader. Earlier, media reported that he might have been injured during American-Israeli strikes that killed his father, Iran's former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to CNN, on the first day of bombings, Mojtaba Khamenei suffered a broken foot and several minor injuries. At the same time, due to Khamenei's absence from the public sphere, rumors are circulating that his injuries may be much more serious.
The fact that Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet been shown by Iranian state media has led to widespread speculation on social networks, especially among the Iranian diaspora, that the new supreme leader of Iran is very seriously injured, if he is alive at all.
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