Khamenei Signals Peace, but Warns Aggressors Will Pay
AFP/APP
Tehran: Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has struck a dual tone of restraint and warning, signaling openness to peace while vowing accountability for recent attacks, in his latest message broadcast on state television.
In a written statement delivered weeks after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war, the new leader emphasized that Iran does not seek further conflict with the United States or Israel. However, he made clear that Tehran would not compromise on what it considers its national rights.
“We did not seek war and we do not want it,” the message said, while stressing that Iran would stand firm alongside its regional allies, an apparent reference to ongoing tensions involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Despite a recently agreed two-week ceasefire with Washington, seen as a potential opening for broader negotiations following threats from Donald Trump, Khamenei underscored that those responsible for attacks on Iran would face consequences.
He warned that “criminal aggressors” would not go unpunished.
The message also pointed to a possible strategic shift, with Iran preparing to move the management of the vital Strait of Hormuz into a “new phase,” a development likely to draw global attention given the waterway’s importance to international energy supplies.
At home, Khamenei called for continued public engagement, urging citizens not to retreat from demonstrations despite the ceasefire. He said public presence in the streets could influence the direction of ongoing negotiations.
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The new leader has yet to appear publicly since assuming power and is believed to have been injured in the same strike that killed his father. While Iran State Television maintains that he is recovering, it has only released undated images of him.
Meanwhile, President Trump has publicly speculated about his condition.
Khamenei also urged neighboring countries in the Gulf region to closely monitor developments, describing the current moment as critical and calling for what he termed a clear and informed regional stance.
