The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared that his country will demand compensation from the United States and Israel following the large-scale attacks they carried out against Iran.
In a warning directed at the two countries, Mojtaba Khamenei said that if they fail to meet these demands, Iran will not hesitate to target and damage American and Israeli assets.
The statement follows major airstrikes launched on February 28, 2026, by United States and Israel against Iran. The attacks reportedly killed more than 40 senior Iranian officials, including the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was also Mojtaba Khamenei’s father.
Reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei himself was injured during the attacks, though he survived. In his remarks, he said Iran would only find peace after avenging those who were killed and vowed that retaliation would be severe.
Khamenei also announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, describing the move as a way to pressure Washington and Tel Aviv to halt the war.
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and is one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Every day, between 16 and 21 million barrels of petroleum products pass through the strait, accounting for roughly 20% of global oil shipments.
Several members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, rely heavily on this route to export oil, particularly to markets in Asia.
Khamenei said Iran could consider stopping the war if the attacks against the country cease, but insisted that the United States and Israel must first agree to compensate Iran for the destruction caused in Tehran and other parts of the country.