Iran’s new supreme leader did not appear in person to give his first statement Thursday, fuelling speculation that he was injured more seriously than Iranian officials have acknowledged. Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed in a defiant statement attributed to him and read by a state TV presenter.

In first public remarks, Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran would continue to block the Strait of Hormuz and attack U.S. bases.

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Iran will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel, according to a statement attributed to Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. His message was broadcast on Iranian state TV, but Khamenei did not appear in person. His message was instead read out by a newsreader.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, is reportedly unconscious and undergoing treatment for a severe medical issue in Qom. He is unable to govern or make decisions following airstrikes that killed his father and others,

Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared his country the victor in the war with the United States and Israel in a statement attributed to him on Thursday. As on previous occasions, the message was read out on state television.

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei will issue his first message since his appointment "in a few moments", his official Telegram channel said, without specifying if it will be a recorded message or written statement.

He is alive but his condition is critical and still unconscious. He is also not taking part in any decisions, taken by Iran leadership.

Since the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, authority has shifted to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Younger military leaders have come to the fore.