Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, Calls Israel's War a Serious Miscalculation in New Year Message

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a defiant written message for the Persian New Year Nowruz.

“A new message attributed to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was read on state TV marking the Persian New Year, but no video or audio accompanied it”

CNN

The message marks his first major public communication since succeeding his father Ali Khamenei following the elder Khamenei's death in an airstrike on February 28.

CNN

The message was published on Khamenei's Telegram channel and read on Iranian state television.

Khamenei has communicated only through written statements since taking power, with no video or audio appearances.

This has led to speculation about his health following the strike that killed his father and over a dozen top security officials.

The 12-day war represents the third major conflict Iran has experienced over the last 12 months.

Previous conflicts include a June 2025 12-day conflict with Israel and nationwide protests at the start of 2026 which Tehran blamed on Israel and the US.

Khamenei characterized Israel's military actions as a 'serious miscalculation,'

alleging that Tel Aviv had attempted to destabilize Iran by targeting its leadership.

Mathrubhumi English

He claimed that Israeli and US forces had the 'illusion' that by killing Ali Khamenei and other military leaders,

they could create 'fear and despair' and 'realise the dream of dominating Iran and then dividing it.'

Khamenei asserted that these attempts had failed and instead strengthened Iranian resolve.

He viewed the current conflict as part of a broader pattern of Western and Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

In his New Year address, Khamenei proclaimed that Iran was defeating the enemies of the Islamic republic.

“0 arrow-down comments printer search bell top-nav right-arrow left-arrow arrow-down Advertisement "Enemy Defeated": Iran Supreme Leader's Defiant Message On Persian New Year The long statement was the latest such message from Khamenei after he succeeded his father”

NDTV

He claimed Iran had dealt them a 'dizzying blow' in the war against the US and Israel.

Khamenei attributed this success to the 'particular unity' that has emerged among Iranians.

This unity exists despite differences in religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins.

He claimed this unity had caused the enemy to be defeated and to start 'uttering contradictory words and nonsense.'

Khamenei predicted that Iranian unity 'will certainly become stronger and more solid' in the coming year.

He framed the current conflict as a test of national resolve that had been successfully overcome.

Addressing regional tensions, Khamenei categorically denied Iran's involvement in attacks reported in Oman and Turkey.

He accused Israel of using 'false flag operations' and 'deception by the Zionist enemy'.

Mathrubhumi English

Khamenei claimed these tactics were designed to create division between Iran and its neighbors.

He specifically warned that 'such actions may also occur in other countries.'

Khamenei suggested Israel was employing a deliberate strategy of using false-flag tactics.

The goal was to isolate Iran diplomatically and militarily within the region.

This denial came amid heightened regional security concerns and cross-border incident accusations.

The mystery surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei's public appearances has become significant since he assumed leadership.

“Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei declares victory over US and Israel in a defiant Nowruz message”

Mathrubhumi English

With nearly two weeks into his tenure, the new Supreme Leader has yet to issue any video or audio message.

CNN

He relies solely on written communications through his Telegram channel and Iranian state media.

This has fueled widespread speculation about his physical condition following the airstrike.

The airstrike killed his father and over a dozen top security officials.

While state media officials have alluded to Khamenei being wounded, they have not provided detailed health information.

The absence of visual and audio communications contrasts with traditional Iranian Supreme Leader practices.

This creates uncertainty about both Khamenei's condition and leadership stability.