Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared his country does not seek war with the United States and Israel but will demand compensation for damages inflicted during the ongoing conflict that began with his father's death.
The message, read on Iranian state television Thursday, marked 40 days since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 — the first day of what sources describe as a US-Israeli war on Iran. The younger Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership, with officials citing injuries sustained in the same strike that killed his father.
We did not seek war and we do not want it. But we will not renounce our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and in this respect, we consider the entire resistance front as a whole
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader — Iranian State TV
The statement comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, brokered after President Donald Trump issued threats of annihilation against the Islamic Republic. The temporary truce could potentially lead to broader peace negotiations.
Khamenei's reference to the "resistance front" appears to encompass Iran's regional allies, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israel continues military operations. This framing suggests Iran views the conflict through a broader regional lens rather than as a bilateral dispute.
Al Jazeera frames the story straightforwardly around Iran's diplomatic messaging, emphasizing the Supreme Leader's stated preference for compensation over continued warfare. As a Qatari outlet that often mediates between regional powers, it presents Iran's position without editorial judgment while highlighting the diplomatic opening.