Supreme Leader Mojtaba declared safe as Iran threatens attacks on banks in latest warning

Amid swirling speculation about the health of Iran’s new leadership, the son of the Iranian president has moved to quash reports that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the ongoing conflict. Yousef Pezeshkian, who also serves as a government adviser, took to his Telegram channel to reassure the public, stating that he had personally inquired with connected sources and confirmed that Khamenei is, “thank God, safe and sound.” The denial comes after state television had ambiguously referred to the new Supreme Leader as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” though it never specified the nature or extent of any injury, leaving room for widespread speculation.

Iran Threatens Gulf Economies, Warns Civilians to Flee Banks

In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Iran has threatened to widen the theater of war to include financial targets. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, an entity identified by the United Nations as being owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a stark warning. The official stated that recent actions by the enemy have “left our hands open to targeting economic centres and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime in the region.” In an unprecedented advisory, the spokesperson specifically warned civilians in the Gulf region to maintain a distance of at least one kilometer from banking institutions, signaling a potential shift in targeting strategy away from purely military installations.

Strait of Hormuz Under Siege: Third Vessel Struck in Single Morning

Maritime traffic through one of the world’s most vital waterways is facing increasing peril. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has confirmed that a bulk carrier was struck by an “unknown projectile” approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai. This incident marks the third attack on a commercial vessel in the same morning near the Strait of Hormuz. While the UKMTO has confirmed that all crew members are safe and there is no reported environmental damage, the pattern of attacks is raising alarms about the safety of international shipping lanes. Earlier in the day, a separate container ship was also hit in nearly the same coordinates off the UAE coast.

Australia Closes Embassies, China Calls for Restraint

The diplomatic ripple effects of the intensifying war are forcing nations to reassess their regional presence. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the closure of Australian embassies in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, as well as the consulate in Dubai, citing an escalation “at a scale and at a depth that we have not seen before.” Wong warned parliament that the conflict is expected to “intensify and continue in the near term.” Meanwhile, in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun struck a more neutral but concerned tone, stating that China “does not agree” with attacks on Gulf states and condemning any indiscriminate strikes on civilians and non-military targets.