New Iranian Leader Mojtaba Makes Public Debut with Sharp Statements on War and Regional Resistance

TEHRAN — Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Majid Khamenei, has outlined his vision for the country’s future in his first statement since taking office, focusing on domestic priorities and the direction of military confrontation in the region amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel.

The statement was broadcast via Iranian state television in written form at 07:00. The announcement came at a sensitive time for Iran following the death of his predecessor Ali Khamenei and escalating military tensions.

The new leader sought to establish a framework for managing the conflict and consolidate his position within the power hierarchy.

Nuruddin al-Daghir, Director of Al Jazeera’s Tehran bureau, stated that Mojtaba Khamenei’s statement attempted to define the general framework of Iranian policy during what Tehran views as an American-Israeli aggression phase.

According to Al Jazeera’s report on Friday (13 March 2026), al-Daghir noted that the statement contained clear messages to the armed forces regarding the nature of the upcoming confrontation.

One significant point in the statement was the reaffirmation of Iran’s continued relationship with what Tehran calls the “axis of resistance”. This indicates that Iran’s regional policy will remain on the path established under the previous leadership, according to al-Daghir.

The statement also referenced the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s Supreme Leader calling on the armed forces to make every effort to keep the strait closed.