TEHRAN: Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has issued his first public message after being appointed the new Leader of the Iran, emphasizing national unity, continued defense efforts, and the strategic necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed amid ongoing regional tensions.
In his address on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Iranian people’s will remains firm in continuing effective defense against external threats.
“The will of the people is to continue effective defense, and their presence on the scene must be maintained. The Strait of Hormuz must remain closed,” he said.
The new leader began his message with a prayer for the reappearance of the Awaited Imam, followed by a tribute to the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, whose martyrdom he described as a profound loss for the nation and the wider Muslim world.
He extended condolences to the Iranian people and Muslims worldwide, particularly to families affected by the recent US-Israeli war on Iran.
Special sympathy was expressed for the families of martyrs and those who survived the conflict and remained committed to the Islamic movement.
Addressing the Iranian public directly, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei noted that he learned about the result of the leadership vote through state media like ordinary citizens.
The vote was conducted by the Assembly of Experts, the constitutional body responsible for appointing and supervising the Supreme Leader of Iran.
“I, Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, learned the result of the Assembly of Experts’ vote through the Islamic Republic’s media, just like all of you,” he said.
Reflecting on the responsibility of leadership, he acknowledged the immense challenge of following in the footsteps of two towering figures in Iran’s revolutionary history: Ruhollah Khomeini and the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Sitting in a position once occupied by two great leaders, Imam Khomeini and Martyr Khamenei, is a daunting task,” he stated, describing his predecessor as a leader whose decades of struggle and sacrifice made him an exceptional figure in Iran’s history.
According to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s life was defined by more than 60 years of dedication, hardship, and commitment to what he called the path of truth.
He described him as a “shining gem” whose leadership shaped the modern history of the Islamic Republic.
The new leader also shared a personal reflection about visiting the body of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after his death, describing the experience as witnessing a “mountain of steadfastness.”
He said that many aspects of the former leader’s personality and legacy would be analyzed by scholars and historians in the future.
For now, he said, the immediate priority is maintaining national unity and strengthening the country’s resilience in the face of external pressures.
“This is why taking on the leadership after such a figure is a heavy responsibility,” he said. “Bridging this gap is only possible with the help of God and with the support of the people.”
The message signals continuity in Iran’s strategic posture during a period of heightened confrontation in the Middle East, particularly regarding the security of the Persian Gulf and the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping route.