Iran's new supreme leader says US bases in Gulf must close or will be attacked

Iran's new supreme leader says US bases in Gulf must close or will be attacked Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 13:59 In his first statement since being appointed leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issues threat to US and says Tehran will 'take war reparations' In this picture obtained from Iran's Isna news agency, Mojtaba Khamenei looks on in Tehran on 13 October 2024 (Hamed Jafarnejad/Isna/AFP) Off In his first statement since becoming Iran 's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has said that all US bases must be immediately closed in the region or they will be attacked. The new leader, the son of slain leader Ali Khamenei, has not been seen since the war began. His statement was read aloud by a presenter on IRIB, Iran's state broadcaster.