Mojtaba Khamenei Affirms Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed Amid Global Oil Crisis

TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has ordered the country’s military to maintain closure of access to the Strait of Hormuz. This order was among the instructions contained in Mojtaba’s inaugural statement following his confirmation as Iran’s new Supreme Leader on Sunday, 8 March 2026.

“The lever to block the Strait of Hormuz must be fully utilised,” Mojtaba Khamenei stated in a written statement read by a presenter from Iran’s state television on Thursday, 12 March 2026, according to Al Arabiya.

In addition, Mojtaba called on regional nations to shut down American military bases located within their territories. “I recommend that they close these bases as soon as possible, because they must have realised by now that American claims about building security and peace are nothing but lies,” he said.

Mojtaba also swore to avenge the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in a US-Israeli attack on 28 February 2026. “Part of this retaliation has already been realised in concrete form. However, until it is fully achieved, this matter will remain one of our priorities,” he stated.

“We will demand compensation from the enemy, and if they refuse, we will seize as much of their property as we determine. If that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of their assets,” Mojtaba Khamenei added.

Mojtaba also expressed gratitude to Iran’s regional allies, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi movement, and armed groups in Iraq.

“We regard the Resistance Front nations as our best friends, and the resistance struggle and the Resistance Front are an inseparable part of Islamic Revolution values,” he said.

Since his confirmation as Iran’s Supreme Leader last Sunday, the 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to appear publicly. According to reports from state television, Mojtaba sustained injuries during Iran’s war against the United States and Israel. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has assured that Mojtaba is in good condition.