Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued what is believed to be his first public statement since taking over after his father’s death – and it included a worrying threat.
The message aired on Iranian state television on Thursday, with a news anchor reading the new supreme leader’s statement as a still image of him appeared on screen. No explanation was given for why Khamenei did not deliver the statement himself.
Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being named successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike shortly after the war began. An Iranian source told The Sun earlier this week that Khamenei had been severely injured in the attacks and was receiving care at Sina University Hospital in Tehran while in a coma.
“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” the source claimed, according to The Sun.
Other Iranian sources rejected those allegations, saying he only suffered minor injuries while sheltering in a protected location.
In the televised statement, Khamenei addressed the ongoing conflict and vowed retaliation.
“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” the supreme leader said, according to CBS News. “The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge,” the statement reads.
He also praised Iranian forces: “Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it,” he added.
Khamenei warned that Iran would seek compensation from its enemies and threatened further action.
“If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent.
“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency,” Khamenei said.
He also described seeing his father’s body after the strike that killed him.
“I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” Khamenei said. “What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”
According to Khamenei, several members of his family were also killed in the same attack.
