type: timeline_event
On March 12, 2026 -- Day 13 of Operation Epic Fury and four days after being elevated as Iran's Supreme Leader -- Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first public statement as head of the Islamic Republic, delivered via Iranian state media. He did not appear personally in the broadcast; another individual read his written statement aloud while a photograph of Khamenei was displayed on screen, fueling speculation about his precise location and security situation.
The statement was defiant and maximalist. Khamenei vowed that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States and Israel ceased all military operations against Iran, stating that "not one drop" of oil would flow through the strait while Iranian blood was being shed. He pledged that the Islamic Republic would pursue revenge for those killed in the conflict: "We will not ignore revenge for the blood of your martyrs." He also disclosed that Iran was studying the possibility of expanding the war to new fronts, stating that "studies have been conducted regarding the opening of other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and is highly vulnerable" -- language widely interpreted as a reference to potential cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, attacks on Israeli interests in third countries, or activation of Hezbollah remnants.
The statement eliminated any remaining ambiguity about Iran's war aims under its new leadership: Mojtaba Khamenei showed no inclination toward the ceasefire framework being discussed by Chinese and Russian intermediaries and directly contradicted the diplomatic signals Iran's Foreign Ministry had been sending through back channels. Oil prices climbed again above $100 per barrel following the statement, with Axios reporting on the potential for a global recession if the Hormuz closure extended for months.
Trump responded separately by stating "the war is very complete" and suggesting he was considering options for taking over the Strait of Hormuz -- a remark that generated significant alarm among international shipping and energy sector stakeholders.