Hyderabad, March 12 -- Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has delivered his first public message since taking office, as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to escalate across the region.

In the statement broadcast on Iranian state television on Thursday, March 12, Khamenei warned that Iran would continue targeting United States military bases in the region and urged neighbouring countries to shut down American facilities on their soil.

He said Iran believed in maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring states but insisted Tehran would respond to attacks launched from US bases in the region.

Khamenei also said Iran could use the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage during t...