Overview
- Iranian state television presented a text attributed to the new Supreme Leader that vowed revenge for “martyrs,” signaled continuity with Ali Khamenei’s line, praised allied militias and endorsed using Strait of Hormuz closure as leverage.
- The message was read by a presenter over an archival photo rather than delivered on camera, and Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly or spoken in audio since taking power.
- Conflicting accounts of his health persist, with an Iranian ambassador saying he suffered minor injuries while other reports claim severe wounds or incapacitation, none independently verified.
- Foreign leaders and analysts depict the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as the real power center, with Israel’s prime minister labeling Mojtaba a puppet of the Guards.
- Regional fighting has intensified with reported strikes on Iranian nuclear- and security-linked sites in Isfahan, Natanz, Fordow and Taleghan, market turmoil has pushed oil up roughly 6% and prompted an IEA release of about 400 million barrels, and Western intelligence cited by Bloomberg says Russia is supplying satellite imagery and other support to Tehran.