Iran leader vows keep Hormuz closed

Tehran, Iran — Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first public statement since taking office, vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and urging neighboring states to close U.S. military bases or face continued Iranian strikes, a set of claims confirmed by Reuters, BBC, NBC News, CBS News, Sky News, and NPR. We are highlighting only details corroborated by at least four of those sources.

• The statement was broadcast on Iranian state television and read by a presenter, with Khamenei not appearing in person.
• Khamenei said Iran will continue to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as leverage in the war.
• He urged neighboring countries hosting U.S. bases to close them and warned that Iran would keep targeting those bases if they remain open.
• The remarks were his first since being appointed after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed early in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Additional Details Reported

Reuters reported President Donald Trump said he believes the new leader is alive but “damaged.”

CBS News said the statement claimed Khamenei learned of his appointment via state TV and called the Strait of Hormuz closure a “lever” to be used in the conflict.

NBC News reported the statement also vowed vengeance for Iranian casualties, including children killed in a strike on a school.

Sky News said the address signaled a strategy of intensifying economic pressure and threatening “other fronts” beyond military action.

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