Mojtaba Khamenei lost his wife and a son in the US-Israeli strike on the supreme leader’s compound that killed his father. His mother was also reportedly killed in the attack, though one Iranian outlet has since said she is alive.
It has been reported by the Reuters news agency, citing an unnamed Iranian official, that Khamenei was “lightly injured”, but there have been no details.
He has not been seen in public and there have been no photographs or videos of him since becoming supreme leader.
Iran’s state TV news channel has referred to him as a “veteran of the Ramadan war”, without any further confirmation on whether he was injured.
In the first public message attributed to him, Khamenei said Iran should use the “lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz” as the channel is an area where “the enemy is highly vulnerable”.
Iran would continue targeting US bases in the region, Khamenei said in his statement.
Tehran had a policy of “friendship” with neighbouring countries, but he warned them to close their American bases.
“We share land or maritime borders with 15 neighbouring countries and have always sought warm and constructive relations with all of them,” he said.
“These countries must clarify their stance toward the aggressors against our homeland and the killers of our people.”
“I advise them to close those bases as soon as possible.”