New Iranian Leader: All US Bases In Middle-East Must Be Shut Down
Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first official directive on Thursday, ordering the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic “tool of pressure” against Western powers.
In a message read by a state television broadcaster – Press TV, Mojtaba — who succeeded his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after his assassination in a joint US-Israeli strike — vowed to escalate the conflict if foreign military presence in the region persists.
The new Supreme Leader issued a direct ultimatum to regional neighbours, demanding the immediate shutdown of all United States military bases on their soil.
Mojtaba warned that any facility used to facilitate “aggression” against Iran would remain a legitimate target for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“The countries of the region must clarify their stance regarding the aggressors against our dear homeland,” the statement read.
“I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, for they must surely have realised by now that America’s claim of establishing security and peace has been nothing but a lie.”
He further vowed to exact “reparations” for the war’s victims, specifically citing a recent strike on a school in Minab. If compensation is not paid, Mojtaba warned, Iran would seize or destroy an equivalent portion of the enemy’s assets.
While the Supreme Leader focused on maritime leverage and military retaliation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined a three-point diplomatic roadmap to end the hostilities.
Speaking following consultations with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan, Pezeshkian stated that the war—which Iran maintains was ignited by the “Zionist regime and the U.S.”—could only end if the following conditions are met:
Recognition of Rights: The international community must formally recognise Iran’s “legitimate and undeniable rights.”
Payment of Reparations: Financial compensation must be paid for the extensive damage to Iranian infrastructure and civilian lives since the February 28 invasion.
International Guarantees: The provision of “firm international guarantees” to prevent future acts of aggression against Iranian territory.
The directive to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut has sent shockwaves through global markets, with Brent crude oil prices spiking back over $100 per barrel. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has described the blockade as causing the “biggest oil market disruption in history.”
The US government has yet to formally respond to the new Supreme Leader’s message, though President Donald Trump stated earlier on Thursday that stopping Iran’s “evil empire” remains a higher priority than stabilising oil prices.
