Iran's Hamenei vows to keep Hormuz blockade, warns of fronts against U.S.
Ayatollah Seyyed Moztaba Hamenei, elected as Iran’s new supreme leader, made his first public address four days after taking office, signaling a hardening of Tehran’s posture amid ongoing hostilities. In a televised statement, he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz blockade as a leverage against enemies and said Iran is studying the potential to open new fronts if the war continues.
AP described his remarks as suggesting Iran could expand its conflict beyond the Gulf, potentially opening a front along a line that would put additional pressure on opponents. The report drew a historical parallel to possible armed actions in the vein of past high-profile attacks, such as the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing, to illustrate the risks of new fronts.
Hamenei, speaking in a national audience, emphasized maintaining cordial relations with neighboring states while warning that attacks on U.S. military bases would persist. He appeared to question the credibility of U.S. security commitments and urged that American bases be closed “as soon as possible,” arguing that Washington’s assurances of security and peace have proven false.
He thanked Iran’s armed forces for resisting under pressure from the United States and Israel, saying they deserve recognition for their “brave” conduct and stressing that Iran will continue its retaliatory measures as conditions warrant. He framed Iran’s actions as a defense of the nation amid mounting external pressures.
The supreme leader tied Iran’s retaliation to the deaths of Iranian martyrs, recalling a February 28 bombing at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Hormozgan Province, and signaled a priority of revenge for those attacks. He warned that if the enemy refuses to compensate Iran, Tehran would seize the enemy’s assets or, if necessary, destroy them to a proportionate degree.
Hamenei also said casualties among Iranians would receive free medical care. He did not appear on camera in the broadcast; state television cited a news anchor reading the statement, with the broadcaster offering no explanation for the absence of a live appearance. Western outlets reported that Israel and several U.S. and Iranian officials have suggested Hamenei suffered injuries in the early bombardments and was evacuated to a secure, highly protected location, a claim the Iranian side has neither confirmed nor denied publicly.
The New York Times, citing three Iranian officials, reported that Hamenei had injuries, including to his leg, and had not appeared publicly since his election on February 8. Israeli officials, relying on their own intelligence, also indicated concerns about his condition. The Times noted that Hamenei appeared to be recovering in a secure setting, separate from public view, and that questions about his health and whereabouts persisted as the new leadership began its tenure.
This development matters for the United States because Iran’s posture directly affects regional security, the balance of power in the Gulf, and global energy markets. A continued blockade of Hormuz and the possibility of new fronts raise the risk of disruptions to one of the world’s busiest chokepoints for oil and gas. For U.S. policy, the situation shapes calculations on deterrence, escalation risk, sanctions, and alliance coordination with Gulf partners and Israel, as well as influencing global supply chains and market volatility.