Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that Tehran will not allow the United States and Israel to go "unpunished for their aggression," reinforcing demands for compensation for destruction caused during the conflict and calling for enhanced control over the Strait of Hormuz during ongoing negotiations, according to news agency ANI.
Addressing the nation, Khamenei declared victory in the Middle East conflict, praising the resilience of the Iranian people and the armed forces in confronting what he described as external aggression. "Today, and up to this point, it can boldly be said that you, the heroic nation of Iran, have been the definitive victor in this arena," Khamenei said in a statement, as reported by ANI.
He further asserted that Iran would continue to pursue accountability and reparations. "By the permission of Almighty God, we will certainly not let the criminal aggressors go free. We will certainly demand compensation for every injury inflicted, blood money for the martyrs, and reparations for the disabled veterans of this war, and we will certainly advance the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage," he added.
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The Supreme Leader also urged citizens to remain mobilised and continue gathering in public spaces to form what he said "human defence chains," warning that a temporary ceasefire announcement does not signal the end of war.
"If, for instance, the turn of the period of silence on the military battlefield has necessarily arrived, the duty of those individuals among the people who have the possibility of being present in the squares, neighbourhoods, and mosques appears heavier than before. Certainly, your cries in the squares are effective in the outcome of the negotiations," Khamenei said, as reported by ANI.
Expressing religious faith in a decisive outcome, he said, 'With our entire being, we have hope in Imam Mahdi's (aj) special supplications for a decisive triumph over the enemy, both in negotiations & on the battlefield. We pray that both our adversaries & us will witness the miraculous effect of those prayers very soon, God willing."
Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran remains uncertain as Israel continues its strikes in southern Lebanon, despite Iran's assertion that the region falls within the scope of the temporary truce. Both Washington and Israel have maintained that the ceasefire does not apply to Hezbollah targets.
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