Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a defiant first public statement on Thursday, vowing to avenge “the blood of the martyrs” and keep the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints — firmly blockaded as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign enters its 13th day.
The written statement, read by a presenter on Iranian state television, marks the first communication from the younger Khamenei since he succeeded his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
“The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used,” Mojtaba Khamenei declared, signaling that Iran has no intention of backing down from its most devastating economic weapon — choking off one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
New Leader, Same Defiance
The statement came amid intense speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei’s whereabouts and even his physical condition. Unlike his father, who regularly appeared in public addresses, the new supreme leader communicated solely through written text — never appearing on camera or providing an audio recording.
Still, the message was unmistakable: Iran intends to pursue what Khamenei called “an effective and regret-inducing defense” against the combined U.S.-Israeli assault. He also vowed to open “new fronts” if attacks continue and warned that U.S. bases in the region would be targeted unless they are closed.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian laid out three conditions for any peace: recognition of Tehran’s sovereign rights, war reparations, and guarantees against future aggression. The demands were immediately dismissed by Washington as non-starters.
Oil Markets In Turmoil: $100 A Barrel And Rising
The economic fallout of the conflict continues to reverberate across global markets. Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel on Thursday, with Iranian officials warning the world should “get ready for $200 a barrel.”
“The oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s military command, in comments directed squarely at Washington.
In a historic move, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommended releasing 400 million barrels from global strategic oil reserves — the largest such intervention in history. The United States quickly endorsed the plan, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright announcing that President Trump had authorized the release of 172 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve starting next week.
But analysts warn the reserves may not be enough. The rate at which countries can release strategic stocks varies widely, and the total volume represents only a fraction of the oil that normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq and Oman both closed oil terminals on Thursday after two tankers were attacked and left burning off Iraq’s coast. At least three merchant vessels have been struck in Gulf waters since Wednesday, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirming their forces fired on ships that “disobeyed orders.”
Qatar said it intercepted a missile attack on Thursday, while Saudi Arabia reported destroying two drones heading toward the massive Shaybah oil field — a critical piece of Saudi Arabia’s petroleum infrastructure.
Operation Epic Fury: 6,000 Targets And Counting
On the military front, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Thursday that American forces have now struck approximately 6,000 targets across Iran since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 — up from the 5,000 figure released just days earlier.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that “U.S. forces continue delivering devastating combat power against the Iranian regime,” emphasizing that Iran’s ability to project force is rapidly diminishing.
According to Pentagon figures, Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90 percent, and drone attacks have declined by approximately 85 percent since the start of the operation. The U.S. military has also destroyed 58 Iranian naval vessels, effectively eliminating Iran’s conventional naval capability.
President Trump struck a bullish tone, telling reporters: “They’ve got no navy, they’ve got no air force, they’ve got no anti-air traffic anything. They have no systems of control. We’re just riding free range over that country.”
But Trump stopped short of signaling an end to operations. “We don’t want to leave early, do we?” he said. “We got to finish the job.”
The first six days of the war alone cost the United States $11.3 billion, according to Pentagon estimates — a figure that has almost certainly climbed significantly in the week since.
Beirut Under Fire: Israel Expands Strikes Against Hezbollah
The war is not confined to Iran. Israel launched a significant new wave of strikes on central Beirut on Thursday, targeting what the Israel Defense Forces described as Hezbollah infrastructure. Thick plumes of smoke and dust rose above residential areas filled with high-end restaurants and bars — areas previously considered relatively safe from the bombardment.
The strikes represent a marked escalation of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has been firing rockets and missiles into northern Israel throughout the conflict.
“I don’t feel like there is a safe place for us to go anymore,” said Hussain Mansour, 32, a Lebanese resident standing near a strike site in the seaside community of Ramlet al-Baida. “Where? Where should we go?”
The IDF also expanded evacuation orders in southern Lebanon, signaling that ground operations may intensify in the coming days.
Homeland Security Concerns
The conflict’s reach may extend even further. ABC News reported that the FBI has warned of potential Iranian drone strikes against the U.S. West Coast, though President Trump downplayed the threat, saying he was “not worried” about attacks on American soil.
The State Department issued a separate warning that Iran and aligned militias may be planning to target U.S.-owned oil and energy infrastructure in Iraq, and cautioned that militia groups had previously targeted hotels frequented by Americans in the region.
The U.S. has arranged nearly 50 charter flights to evacuate Americans from the Middle East since the strikes began, according to the State Department.
UN Security Council Acts — But Not To End The War
At the United Nations, the Security Council voted 13-0 to adopt a Bahrain-led resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on regional targets, including strikes on Gulf states and shipping lanes. Notably, a competing Russian proposal calling for an end to the entire conflict was rejected.
The vote underscored the deep international divisions over the war. While the U.S. and its allies frame the operation as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to end its ability to project force through proxy groups, critics — including many European nations — have grown increasingly uneasy about the scale of civilian casualties and the economic devastation.
Approximately 2,000 people have been killed since the start of the U.S.-Israeli assault, the vast majority in Iran. The strike on a school in Minab that killed dozens of schoolgirls aged 7 to 12 has become a flashpoint, with the new Supreme Leader specifically citing the victims in his call for vengeance.
What Comes Next
As the war enters its third week, several key dynamics are emerging. Iran’s conventional military capability has been devastated, but the regime’s ability to cause economic chaos through the Hormuz blockade and attacks on shipping remains potent. The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei signals continuity rather than any willingness to negotiate.
Oil markets remain the most immediate global concern. With prices climbing, strategic reserves being depleted, and no clear end to the Hormuz blockade in sight, the economic impact of this conflict will be felt far beyond the Middle East.
President Trump faces a political calculation as well. With midterm elections in November and gas prices surging, the administration needs to demonstrate that the military campaign is achieving its objectives quickly — before the economic pain translates into ballot box consequences.
For now, the bombs continue to fall, the oil continues to burn, and the world watches as the most significant military conflict in the Middle East in decades shows no signs of slowing down.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation evolves.