Iran’s new supreme leader has made his first statement since being appointed as the regime’s new head of state.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a direct threat against the United States and its Arab allies. He warned that Iran would launch attacks on U.S. military bases across the Middle East and Persian Gulf if they are not shut down. This means the regime would continue its assaults on Arab nations that refuse to allow the U.S. to house its troops within their borders.
Khamenei’s remarks come as Iran continues bombarding targets in other countries and vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.
In his statement, Khamenei said Iran would seek war reparations and affirmed that U.S. bases in the region are primary targets. “The countries of the region must close down the US military bases; otherwise, we will be forced to attack them again.”
🚨 BREAKING: Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says in his first statement that the Strait of Hormuz will REMAIN CLOSED to "pressure" President Trump
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 12, 2026
Khamenei also demands "all" US bases be shutdown, or they will face attacks
He wants to stand up to Trump. How long will… pic.twitter.com/SDvzkkaby4
Khamenei further stated that the regime would “take war reparations from the enemy for the war it imposed on us” and that if the U.S. refuses, Iran “will seize as much of its assets as we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of its property.”
Iran has already expanded its airstrikes against its Arab neighbors that host U.S. military forces. It has sent waves of missile and drone attacks even as the U.S. and Israel continued bombarding Iran.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a missile aimed at an air base within its borders. Jordan accused the Iranian regime of targeting facilities in its territory.
"You don't even know if the new guy is even alive, you can't trust anything coming out of the Iranians."
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 12, 2026
Brigitte Gabriel and @mschlapp reacted to the released written statement of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday's "Bianca Across The Nation." @ACTBrigitte @BiancaDLGarza pic.twitter.com/KMTwV4Am5J
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has tried to reassure other nations that the regime has “no intention of invading other countries” but maintained that U.S. military bases are “legitimate targets.”
The new supreme leader has not yet appeared publicly even with his first statement, adding to speculation that he may have been injured in a U.S. or Israeli airstrike. Still, his appointment sent a message that the regime hardliners are still in charge despite efforts to remove them from power.