Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s first message since becoming Iran’s new supreme leader was read on Iranian state television on Sunday.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public in the days following the announcement of his appointment to the country’s highest office. A source familiar with the situation told CNN that the supreme leader suffered a broken foot and other minor injuries on the first day of the US-Israeli bombing campaign.
Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, told the Guardian newspaper on Wednesday that Khamenei was injured in the same airstrike that killed his father, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with five other family members.
He called for unity
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released his first message, calling for unity among the Iranian people and warning that the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, would remain closed as a “means of pressure”.
The message, which was read by an anchor on Iranian state television, also contained a warning that all American bases in the region must be closed or “they will be attacked.”
– We will not neglect revenge for the blood of Iranian martyrs, especially martyr Minab – he said.
Thanked the army
Khamenei thanked the country’s military, which he said had prevented Iran from being subjugated, or divided, while under attack.
– I would like to thank the brave fighters who are doing a great job at a time when our country is under pressure and under attack – he said.
He emphasized that Iran will continue to strike back.
– All American bases in the region should be closed immediately, otherwise they will be attacked – he stressed.
Iran’s new supreme leader said that all wounded would receive free treatment and that financial compensation would be offered to those injured.
– The current situation should be resolved by offering certain financial compensation to those who suffered damage – he added.
Relations with neighboring countries
Khamenei said Tehran believes in “friendship” with its neighbors, stressing that his country only targets US bases in those countries.
– We must improve relations with neighboring countries – Khamenei said in a televised speech.
The new leader’s handwriting
A new image released by the official Telegram channel of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reveals his handwriting, Iranian state media reported.
The image shows a list of the names of Iran’s supreme leaders: Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as his father Ali Khamenei and his predecessor and first leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini.
Below the list is a short message: “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Merciful.”
The term signifies a new beginning, among other things, it is used at the beginning of most chapters of the Qur’an.
(Vijesti.ba)
