Iran’s new Supreme Chief Mojtaba Khamenei’s assertion included a vow to avenge these killed within the battle, together with in a strike on a college that killed over 165 individuals. File
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Iran’s new supreme chief ordered the very important Strait of Hormuz oil delivery lane to stay closed on Thursday (March 12, 2026), whereas U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned stopping the Islamic republic’s “evil empire” was extra essential than crude costs.
Additionally learn: West Asia battle updates on March 12, 2026
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured in an air strike, has but to seem publicly since his nomination final Sunday as supreme chief, and his defiant message was learn by a newsreader on state tv.
Mr. Khamenei’s father, Ali Khamenei, was killed within the first wave of U.S.-Israeli assaults at the beginning of the West Asia battle. He referred to as for the Strait of Hormuz to stay blocked and for Gulf international locations to shut their U.S. navy bases.
The assertion included a vow to avenge these killed within the battle, together with in a strike on a college that killed over 165 individuals.
The assertion signalled a willingness to proceed the battle that has disrupted international vitality provides, worldwide journey and the relative security loved by the Gulf Arab states, and which has additionally exacted a heavy toll on Iran’s management, navy and ballistic missile programme.
Mr. Khamenei has not been seen in public for the reason that begin of the battle.
Iran’s unrelenting assaults on delivery visitors and vitality infrastructure within the Persian Gulf had earlier pushed oil again above $100 a barrel, as American and Israeli strikes pounded the Islamic Republic with no signal of an finish to the battle in sight.
Iran is making an attempt to inflict sufficient international financial ache to stress the USA and Israel to halt their bombardment, which started on February 28 and killed Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s President mentioned Thursday (March 12, 2026) that its assaults would proceed till Iran will get safety ensures towards one other assault, indicating that even a ceasefire or U.S. declaration of victory won’t halt the battle.
U.S. President Donald Trump has in the meantime promised to “end the job,” though he claimed Iran is “just about destroyed.” Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, in the meantime, launched some 200 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel whereas sirens rang out and loud booms from the interception of Iranian missiles may very well be heard in different areas. Israel launched one other wave of assaults on Tehran and in Lebanon, the place 11 individuals have been killed.
The UN refugee company mentioned as much as 3.2 million individuals in Iran have been displaced by the continuing battle. It mentioned most have fled from Tehran and different main cities towards the north of the nation or rural areas. No less than 759,000 individuals have been internally displaced in Lebanon, it mentioned.
Israel’s navy on Thursday (March 12, 2026) warned residents of a good bigger space of southern Lebanon to go away their houses. It mentioned they need to transfer north of the Zahrani River, which at its midpoint is about 56 kilometres away from the border with Israel.
(With AFP and AP inputs)
Revealed – March 12, 2026 08:35 pm IST