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Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message since taking office, with the statement broadcast on state television while an anchor read the message in Farsi, and a banner displaying his image appeared on screen.
In the message, Khamenei called for unity among the Iranian people and said Iran would not abandon revenge for those killed in the conflict.
"We will not forsake avenging the blood of our martyrs, especially the martyrs of Minab," he said.
He also expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s previous supreme leader Ali Khamenei and said assuming the leadership position after him was a difficult responsibility.
Khamenei said the Iranian people’s unity and presence during the war had demonstrated their determination, and he urged continued public participation in political, social and national affairs.
He also called on Iranians to maintain solidarity and support one another during the conflict and urged state institutions to assist citizens affected by the war.
Khamenei thanked Iranian fighters for what he described as their defense of the country during attacks and also expressed gratitude to forces he referred to as the resistance front.
He said Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed groups in Iraq had continued supporting Iran during the conflict.
Khamenei said Iran believes in maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries but warned that military bases used to launch attacks against Iran would continue to be targeted.
"We believe in friendship with neighbors. We target only bases and will continue to do so if necessary," he said.
He said Iran shares land or maritime borders with 15 neighboring countries and remains open to constructive relations with them.
However, he said some countries host military and financial bases established by Iran’s adversaries to maintain influence in the region.
Khamenei said Iran had previously warned that bases used in attacks against the country would be targeted and said such strikes would continue.
He urged regional governments to shut down those bases and determine their position regarding what he described as attacks against Iran.
Khamenei said Iran would continue using the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure against its enemies.
"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will continue as a tool of pressure against the enemy," he said.
He also said Iran was studying the possibility of opening new fronts against its adversaries if the war continues.
Khamenei said Iran would seek compensation for damages caused during the conflict and warned that if reparations were not paid, Iran would take action against the assets of its enemies or destroy them.
He also said Iran would continue pursuing revenge for those killed during attacks, including civilians and children killed in the bombing of a school in Minab.
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