Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared that the country will obtain compensation from its adversaries amid the ongoing conflict, threatening to seize or destroy enemy assets if demands are refused.
The statement, read out on state television, escalates rhetoric as American and Israeli military operations continue against Iranian targets, driving oil prices above $100 a barrel due to disruptions in Gulf shipping and energy infrastructure.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the supreme leader’s message was delivered through a state broadcaster on Thursday without his on-camera appearance. In the written statement, he asserted that Iran “will obtain compensation from the enemy.” He added: “If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent.” The remarks refer to the United States as the primary adversary, in the context of strikes that have targeted Iranian military, security forces, and civilian sites, including a school in Minab that killed over 165 people.
The declaration forms part of a broader first major public message from Mojtaba Khamenei since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening phase of the war that began late February. The new leader vowed to avenge those described as martyrs, including victims of recent bombardments. He insisted that attacks on Gulf Arab neighbours hosting U.S. military facilities would persist and emphasised maintaining the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage to pressure Washington and its allies. He called on regional governments to close American bases immediately, warning that remaining installations would face attacks. Discussions are underway, he noted, about potentially opening additional fronts in areas where adversaries have limited experience and greater vulnerability.
The statement comes as Iran’s armed forces have intensified operations against shipping and energy assets in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, contributing to global economic strain. Oil markets have reacted sharply, with Brent crude surging on concerns over sustained disruptions to key transit routes. U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted repeated airstrikes on Iranian security infrastructure, naval vessels, and leadership symbols, with no indication of de-escalation from either side.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in separate comments shared online, outlined conditions for ending hostilities, including international recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and guarantees against future aggression. Officials have dismissed suggestions of backing down, framing continued resistance as essential to national sovereignty.
The supreme leader’s remarks have drawn widespread attention internationally, with analysts noting the hardened tone compared to prior communications. No immediate response has emerged from Washington or Jerusalem to the specific threats regarding asset seizure or destruction, though U.S. officials have previously described ongoing operations as aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities.
The conflict, now in its second week of intensified phases, has expanded beyond direct Iran-Israel exchanges to involve Gulf shipping lanes and regional proxies. Energy infrastructure attacks have raised fears of broader economic fallout, particularly for oil-dependent economies and global supply chains. Iran maintains that its actions are defensive responses to aggression, while adversaries characterise them as escalatory threats to international navigation and stability.
Regional governments remain on high alert, with increased military postures around the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes. The supreme leader’s insistence on keeping the strait closed as leverage underscores Iran’s strategy to impose costs on opponents through economic pressure.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
