NPN

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a major statement on Thursday. In his inaugural address, he called upon neighboring Muslim-majority nations to decide where they stand in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. In a tone that bordered on a stern warning, Mojtaba Khamenei demanded that neighboring countries clarify their stance regarding those who attack Iran and those responsible for the killing of its people. He emphatically asserted that neighboring nations must immediately shut down all foreign military bases situated within their territories. It is worth noting that Mojtaba's father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in attacks attributed to the U.S. and Israel, following which Mojtaba was elected as the new Supreme Leader. 'Our Neighboring Countries Must Clarify Their Position' Notably, this marks the first instance in Iran's history where the position of Supreme Leader has passed directly from father to son. In his statement, Mojtaba Khamenei declared: "The Islamic Republic seeks neither to establish regional hegemony nor to engage in colonialism. We remain fully prepared to foster unity and warm relations with all our neighbors. The nations of this region must clarify their position regarding those who invade our beloved homeland and those who murder our people. I advise them to dismantle these bases as swiftly as possible, for they must surely realize by now that America's claims of establishing security and peace were nothing but a lie." Iran has imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. 'Our Struggle Will Continue, and the Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed' Khamenei further noted that, over the past several years, the adversary has established military bases within certain neighboring countries. He stated: "These bases were utilized during recent attacks; in response—and only after issuing clear warnings—Iran targeted those specific bases, taking care to avoid any encroachment upon the sovereign territory of our neighbors. In accordance with the will of the people, our struggle shall continue, and the Strait of Hormuz shall remain closed." Expressing his gratitude to Hezbollah, as well as to Yemeni and Iraqi fighters, Khamenei lauded the "valor" displayed by these factions. It is worth noting that Hezbollah, too, has opened a front against Israel from the Lebanese side. 'The Martyrdom of Every Single Person in the Nation Will Be Avenged' Khamenei spoke of the challenge of upholding the legacy of his predecessors. He remarked that it is immensely difficult for him to occupy the seat once held by the great Khomeini and the martyred Khamenei. He recounted that, following his father's passing, he was granted the privilege of being near his body. Khamenei stated, "I was accorded the honor of being near his body after his martyrdom. I assure everyone that we will avenge the blood of your martyrs. Our retribution will not be limited solely to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, the martyrdom of every single individual in this nation will be avenged." A woman holding a photograph of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba. Why Are the Gulf Nations Unlikely to Answer Khamenei's Questions? It is difficult for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and other Gulf nations to respond to Mojtaba Khamenei's inquiries—specifically those regarding the closure of U.S. military bases and the need to clarify their stance on aggression against Iran—because these nations maintain robust security alliances with the United States. These U.S. bases serve as a guarantee of their security against potential threats emanating from Iran and other nations. Closing these bases would entail distancing themselves from the United States, a move that would heighten their economic and military vulnerabilities. Furthermore, while there is a fear of attacks from Iran, the greater concern is the risk of undermining their reliance on U.S. security guarantees. This is precisely why it is highly unlikely that they will clarify their stance on the issue raised by Iran.