Iran vows retaliation, signals continued pressure on US bases and Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has pledged to avenge those killed in the ongoing conflict and maintain pressure on US forces in the region, while signalling that Tehran could keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed if hostilities continue.

In his first public remarks since succeeding his late father, former leader Ali Khamenei, the statement was read on state television on Thursday amid an escalating regional war.

Khamenei said Iran would not hesitate to respond to attacks and warned that further military actions could follow if the conflict persisted.

“We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs, especially the crimes against children,” the statement said, referring to an incident involving a school in Minab that Tehran says was deliberately targeted.

Pressure on US presence in the region

In the televised statement, Khamenei said Iran would continue to use the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the conflict.

The waterway, which runs along Iran’s southern coast, handles roughly a fifth of global oil shipments and is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Khamenei also called on neighbouring countries to shut down American military bases operating on their territory, while insisting that Iran had not targeted regional states themselves.

He said Iranian forces had instead focused on US installations, adding that Tehran remained committed to maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries despite the hostilities.

“If the war continues, opening other fronts where the enemy is highly vulnerable will be considered while observing strategic interests,” the statement added.

Calls for mobilisation on Quds Day

The supreme leader also urged Iranians to participate in rallies marking Quds Day, an annual demonstration held on the last Friday of Ramadan in support of the Palestinian cause.

Khamenei said a strong turnout would represent an “enemy-breaking presence” and demonstrate public support for Iran’s position in the conflict.

He also praised what Tehran calls the “Resistance Front”, a loose network of regional groups aligned with Iran.

“The cause of resistance and the Resistance Front is an inseparable part of the values of the Islamic Revolution,” the statement said, describing countries and movements within the alliance as Iran’s closest partners.

The remarks come as the war, triggered by a joint bombing campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, continues to escalate.

According to estimates cited by the International Energy Agency, the conflict has already caused the largest disruption to global energy supplies in history, while the death toll across the region has reached about 2,000 people.

Despite US and Israeli claims that much of Iran’s long-range weapons capability has been destroyed, drones were reported flying over several Gulf states on Thursday, including Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman.