Iran's new leader vows to keep up attacks in his first statement since being appointed
JON GAMBRELL, DAVID RISING and NATALIE MELZER
Associated Press
Updated
BAHRAIN INTERIOR MINISTRY
Firefighters in Bahrain worked to extinguish an oil tanker fire on Thursday on Muharraq Island near the nation's International Airport. It comes after an Iranian attack sparked a major fire with authorities urging people to stay indoors and close windows to avoid smoke.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s new supreme leader released his first statement since succeeding his late father, saying Thursday that Iran would keep up its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors and use the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel.
A woman gathers belongings from her family's home after it was damaged by a projectile launched from Lebanon, in Haniel, central Israel, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
A woman sits on rubble across from a residential building damaged last Sunday during the U.S.-Israeli air campaign in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
A woman gathers belongings from her family's home after it was damaged by a projectile launched from Lebanon, in Haniel, central Israel, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
A woman sits on rubble across from a residential building damaged last Sunday during the U.S.-Israeli air campaign in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
