New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday (March 12) vowed to avenge the blood of Iran's martyrs in a defiant statement read out on state television, his first remarks since succeeding his slain father.

In the address, Khamenei said Iran's neighbors should close all U.S. bases on their territory, which Iran would to continue to attack.

State television offered no explanation for why Khamenei's first remarks were read out by a presenter rather than delivered in a video address. No images have yet been released of him since the strike that killed his father, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The war that began with a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign at the end of February has so far killed around 2,000 people and caused what the International Energy Agency describes as the biggest disruption to global energy supplies in history.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TEHRAN, IRAN (MARCH 12, 2026) (POOL VIA WANA - No use VOA Persian. No use BBC Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International, No Use Radio Farda)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The revenge we intend is not limited to the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution alone; rather, any member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“We will demand reparations from the enemy, and if they refuse, we will confiscate from their assets to the extent we deem necessary, and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent portion of their property.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“We share land or maritime borders with 15 neighbouring countries and have always sought warm and constructive relations with all of them.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“These countries must clarify their stance toward the aggressors against our homeland and the killers of our people.”

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“I advise them to close those bases as soon as possible, as they must have realized by now that America’s claim of establishing security and peace is nothing but a lie.”

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) STATE TV NEWS ANCHOR, READING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI'S STATEMENT, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE OVERLAID BY STILL OF IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER, MOJTABA KHAMENEI)

“I reiterate that the Islamic Republic, without seeking dominance or colonial control in the region, is fully prepared for warm and sincere relations with all neighbours.”