Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has delivered his first public address, calling for national unity while acknowledging the heavy personal and national losses suffered during the recent conflict.
In a statement broadcast on state television, Khamenei extended condolences to families who lost relatives during the war and promised that the government would compensate those affected by the destruction.
“We have to protect this unity, and this is only possible when we stand together and find common ground,” the statement said.
Khamenei linked the nation’s suffering to his own personal tragedy, revealing that he lost close members of his family during the attacks. According to him, his father former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, along with his wife and other relatives.
“I lost my father and I lost my wife. My sister also lost her child and her husband,” he said, describing the events as painful but urging citizens to remain patient and faithful.
He emphasized that faith in God and perseverance would help the country overcome the difficult period.
“What makes it easier for us to endure these trials is trusting in the grace of God and believing that patience will ultimately bring relief,” Khamenei stated.
The new leader also praised Iranians from different backgrounds who stood firm during the conflict, describing their actions as a sign of national resilience.
At the same time, he issued a strong warning to those responsible for the attacks, saying the country would not forget those who died in the war. According to him, the government remains determined to seek justice for the victims.
“I assure everyone that we will not ignore the fact that we must avenge our martyrs,” he said.
Khamenei stressed that the call for retaliation was not only about the killing of the country’s former supreme leader but also about the many Iranian citizens who lost their lives during the war.
“It is not only about the martyrdom of our supreme leader,” he added. “It is about every single countryman who was killed during the recent conflict.”
The statement marks the first major message from Khamenei since assuming leadership amid rising tensions following the recent US–Israeli strikes on Iran (February 2026), which triggered a broader confrontation in the region.
