Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge for war victims

Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called for revenge for the victims of the war in his first statement, which was read by a news anchor on state television.

The 56-year-old cleric, who was appointed on Sunday, emphasized the need for retaliation in his first remarks since succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on February 28, CE Report quotes MIA.

"We are particularly sensitive to the blood of our children," he said, referring to schoolgirls who were killed in an airstrike.

According to Iran, around 170 people, most of them schoolgirls, were killed in an attack on the city of Minab, near a base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on the first day of the war.

US media, citing anonymous government officials and preliminary findings, say US forces were responsible for the strike.

Khamenei also emphasized the need for defence and called on the country to show unity.

He said that Tehran exert pressure through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, through which roughly a fifth of global crude supplies pass.

"We must continue to use the leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz," the cleric said. "We will demand compensation from the enemy."

The new leader survived the February 28 bombing in the heart of Tehran, which killed his father, his wife, mother and brother-in-law, among others.

He called on Gulf states to close US bases in the region. The statement spoke of warm and constructive relations with Arab neighbours, whose states, he said, are being used for the war against Iran.

Khamenei claimed Iranian forces had only fired at US targets in the region and will continue to do so if necessary.

Iran attacks Israel again, Tehran residents fear more escalation

Earlier, the Revolutionary Guards said it launched another wave of missiles toward Israel following overnight Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, which residents described as among the most intense attacks of the war so far.

Air-raid sirens were triggered in parts of Israel.

Iran's regular armed forces said they launched combat drones at Israeli military targets, including Palmachim Airbase and Ovda Airbase, according to Iranian state radio.

Another target was the headquarters of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, it said.

Meanwhile, renewed overnight Israeli airstrikes on Tehran have raised fears of unrest in the Iranian capital.

For the first time, some targets on open streets in densely populated areas of Tehran were reportedly struck, according to local accounts.

About 10 security personnel were killed the Fars news agency reported, citing preliminary information. Fars, which has close ties to the IRGC, also reported multiple explosions in Tehran and unspecified "clashes."

The agency accused Israel's foreign intelligence service, Mossad, of infiltrating operatives into the country.

Locals said they are leaving their homes as little as possible, while security forces are reportedly checking vehicles at frequent intervals on major roads and inspecting occupants' mobile phones.

"If this situation continues, life will become really difficult and we will no longer have any security," said 24-year-old student Nilufar. "Having to stay at home and being afraid to go out is my worst nightmare."

Iran continues targeting sites across the Gulf region

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign against Iran on February 28.

Tehran has retaliated with strikes against Israel, and the oil and natural gas production facilities of Gulf states allied to the US.

On Thursday, the Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for an attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf.

Earlier, Iraqi authorities said that at least one person had been killed in an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf.

Iranian forces also attacked fuel tanks at a facility in Bahrain, local authorities said. The ministry said alarm sirens had been activated and residents were urged to take shelter. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's main base in the region.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to a missile threat. In Dubai, a drone fell on a residential building, causing a fire that was brought under control with no injuries reported.

And in Saudi Arabia, authorities said 18 drones in the eastern part of the country were intercepted and destroyed overnight.

UN: Up to 3.2 million internally displaced persons in Iran

The UN Refugee Agency said on Thursday it estimates that between 600,000 and 1 million households have been uprooted by the conflict. Iran's population is over 90 million.

The agency said up to 3.2 million people have been internally displaced. Most displaced people are seeking refuge in Tehran, other large northern cities and rural areas.

It warned that if the conflict continues, the number of internally displaced persons is likely to rise further.

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