India, March 13 -- Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first statement since assuming office, said the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as leverage against the United States and warned that attacks on Middle East neighbours would continue as the conflict escalates.

The message, read out on Iranian State television on Thursday, came amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Tehran and growing tensions across the region. Khamenei also warned that American military bases operating in the region could face attacks if they remain active.

"I recommend that they close those bases as soon as possible, because they must have realised by now that the claim of establishing security and peace by America was nothing more than a lie," he s...