Iran s supreme leader, in first remarks, vows to avenge martyrs, keep strait closed

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared on Thursday that the country will seek revenge for its martyrs, keep the Strait of Hormuz shut, and target U.S. military bases. This announcement, his first since taking over after his father's death, was broadcast on state television. Khamenei insisted that the United States must withdraw all its bases from the region. He emphasized that closing the strait, which is vital for global oil supply, is necessary to pressure their enemies. On the same day, two tankers caught fire in an Iraqi port after being struck by boats believed to be carrying Iranian explosives. This incident marks an escalation in attacks that have disrupted oil exports from the Middle East, challenging U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of victory in the war he initiated two weeks ago. Reuters verified images showing the ships engulfed in large fireballs, lighting up the night sky, following the attacks blamed on Iranian vessels by Iraqi officials. At least one crew member was reported dead. Earlier, three other ships were also hit in the Gulf. Iran's Revolutionary Guards took responsibility for one of the attacks, which involved a Thai bulk carrier that was set ablaze after allegedly ignoring their orders. Another container ship was struck by an unidentified projectile near the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. The ongoing war, which began with U.S. and Israeli bombings at the end of February, has resulted in around 2,000 deaths and led to what the International Energy Agency calls the worst disruption to global energy supplies in history. Despite U.S. and Israeli assertions that they have significantly damaged Iran's long-range weapons, reports indicated that more drones were seen flying over Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman. Additionally, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched its largest barrage of rockets into Israel during the conflict, prompting renewed Israeli attacks on Beirut.