In First Speech as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei says Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian supreme leader, says his country will continue to close the Strait of Hormuz to pressure Iran’s enemies. 

Khamenei spoke on Thursday in a recorded speech — his first address since succeeding his father as the country’s leader on Sunday.

On March 2, a commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strait was “closed” and that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be set “ablaze”.

Major container shipping lines suspended sailings through the strait and the Suez Canal over the escalating security risks.

At least five tankers have been damaged, two personnel killed, and about 150 ships stranded around the strait, which separates Iran and Oman.

Crude oil prices have since crossed $100 per barrel on Monday — the highest level since July 2022.

On Wednesday, ⁠Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Tehran’s ​Khatam al-Anbiya military command ​headquarters, said oil price will reach $200 a barrel.

He said Iran would not allow “a single litre of oil” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of the US, Israel, and their allies.

Donald Trump, the US president, has warned that “death, fire, and fury will reign upon them (Iran)” if they stopped the flow of oil within the passage.

Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance in his statement.

The supreme leader added that Iran seeks good relations with its neighbouring countries but noted that all US military bases should be immediately closed in the region, or they will continue to be attacked.

He said Iran will continue fighting to avenge “the blood of our martyrs” and thanked the military for making sacrifices.

Khamenei also said plans are being made to financially support those harmed in the war.