Iran's New Leader Threatens US Bases
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's new supreme leader. He took over from his father.
On Thursday he gave his first public statement as leader. A news anchor read it on state television.
He vowed revenge against Iran's enemies. He said the Strait of Hormuz must stay closed.
He called it a tool to pressure enemies. He said all US military bases in the Middle East must close. He warned those bases will be attacked.
Klear Note — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. About one-third of world's oil passes through it daily. Closing it would disrupt global energy supplies and hurt many countries.
Key Terms 3
- supreme leader Iran's most powerful person, above the president
- Strait of Hormuz narrow sea passage used to ship oil worldwide
- airstrike an attack carried out by military aircraft dropping bombs