- Khamenei asks his southern neighbors to choose “the good side”.
- Adds management of the Strait of Hormuz to enter a new phase soon.
- The public is invited to remain active despite the ceasefire announcement.
TEHRAN: Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in his last written message that his country does not want war with the United States and Israel, but will protect its rights as a nation, state television reported on Thursday.
“We did not seek war and we do not want it,” he said in the message read on state television, a few weeks after the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, the first day of the war.
“But we will in no case give up our legitimate rights and, in this regard, we consider the entire resistance front as a whole,” he added, apparently referring to Lebanon where Israel is fighting with Tehran’s ally Hezbollah.
“All must know that, by the will of Almighty God, we will certainly not let the criminal aggressors who attacked our country go unpunished.”
Iran this week agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States that could lead to peace negotiations after US President Donald Trump’s threats of annihilation.
The Supreme Leader also urged the country’s southern neighbors to carefully observe ongoing regional developments, calling them a “miracle” and calling for a clear and informed position.
He said Iran would take management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz into a new phase.
Khamenei told Iranians they should “not imagine that taking to the streets is no longer necessary” despite the ceasefire announcement.
“Your voices in public places undoubtedly have an influence on the outcome of the negotiations,” he said.
Probably injured during the strike that martyred his father, Mojtaba Khamenei has still not been seen in public since his appointment as head of the country.
He issued written statements, most of which were read by presenters on state television.
US President Donald Trump even speculated that he might be dead, but Iranian state television said he was recovering from his injuries and released photos of him, without specifying when they were taken.
