Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows to “avenge the blood of Iranians” BBC News

Mojtaba Khamenei has said Iran will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest shipping lane, and will “avenge the blood” of Iranians killed in the war with the United States and Israel. It was the first public statement by Iran’s new Supreme Leader since he succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in his compound in Tehran on the first day of the war. The message was read by a newsreader on Iranian state TV and Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear in person. He said Iran should use the "lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz" as the channel is an area where "the enemy is highly vulnerable". He also said that Iran would continue targeting US bases in the region Mojtaba Khamenei lost his wife and a son in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and it has been reported that he was himself "lightly injured" in the attack. He has not been seen in public since being made Supreme Leader and no photographs or videos have been released. Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes against the Iranian capital Tehran and has continued its attacks in southern Lebanon where it says it is targeting Hezbollah militants supported by Iran. Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Tom Bateman, Dan Johnson, Lucy Williamson and Wyre Davies. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews