US EditionIran's new supreme leader vows to keep blocking Strait of Hormuz in first statement
Iran’s new Supreme Leader vows ongoing attacks on Gulf neighbors and continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting a fifth of global oil shipments and pushing prices above $100 a barrel.
- On March 12, 2026, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and demanded U.S. military bases in the Middle East close, threatening attacks in his first public statement read on state television.
- Following the Feb. 28 strikes, Khamenei was appointed on March 9 after his father was killed in U.S.-Israeli air strikes that started the conflict.
- Citing retaliation, Khamenei said 'Iran will not refrain from avenging the blood of its martyrs,' and vowed to seek compensation or seize enemy property if refused.
- Markets reacted as Brent crude oil rose 9% to more than $100 a barrel, and Iraq halted operations at all its oil terminals after a Basra port attack.
- The U.N. refugee agency says up to 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran and at least 759,000 in Lebanon, amid ongoing regional conflict, while sirens blared after midnight in Jerusalem and Iran-backed Hezbollah launched some 200 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel.
443 Articles
443 Articles
Iran’s leader vows retaliation on Gulf and oil supply
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed in a written statement that Iran's retaliation throughout the Persian Gulf will continue. The widening conflict has pushed oil back above $100 a barrel, rattling global markets. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports from Qatar.
Iran's secretive top leader vows to keep up attacks
Iran’s new supreme leader released his first statement since succeeding his late father. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that Iran twould keep up is attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors and use the effective closure of the strategic Strait of…
In summary: Lebanon: targeted Hezbollah infrastructure. Injured or already dead? The riddle "Mojtaba Khamenei". The Strait of Ormuz mined, taken hostage worldwide. (Replay LCI).
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
