Reactions and statements from the international community
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) launched a Tomahawk land attack missile at targets in Iran yesterday.
Danny Danon, Israel's representative to the United Nations, stated that Mojtaba Khamenei shares radical ideas similar to those of the former leader of the Islamic Republic and that Israel targets individuals who promote such ideas.
Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated on PBS NewsHour on March 9 that Iran no longer considers negotiations with the United States part of its agenda, citing past disappointments. He also responded to questions about Iran's policy toward the U.S. and Israel, and addressed disruptions in oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz, denying Iran's involvement despite IRGC claims of attempted closure.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his selection as the leader of the Islamic Republic, wishing him success. Officials from Iraq and the Republic of Azerbaijan also extended their congratulations to Khamenei.
Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, told PBS that the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader represents a continuation of opposition to America and Israel, while noting it is premature to discuss direct contacts between Iranian and American officials.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, threatening that if Iran interrupts oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will respond with severe military action, warning of consequences that would render Iran's reconstruction difficult.
Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed doubt about the value of further conversations with the United States, citing past negative experiences, while awaiting the views of Mojtaba Khamenei on the matter.
On Tuesday, March 9, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Michael Leiter, posted on X announcing military strikes on Monday that targeted air bases, drone headquarters, and command-and-control centers in Tehran and Isfahan, controlled by the IRGC. Leiter stated that these efforts aim to dismantle Iran's terror structures and prevent its nuclear enrichment and missile capabilities.
CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command, posted on the social network X, stating that the Iranian regime may attempt to conceal its missile launchers, but U.S. forces will continue searching and will destroy them when located.
President Donald Trump issued a warning that the United States will strike Iran with unprecedented force if Iran impedes oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to cause extensive damage to Iranian assets.
The U.S. Air Force conducted Operations Epic Fury and Lion's Roar, destroying or burying most of the IRGC's ballistic missiles in heavily fortified bases across Iran. nightly airstrikes by B-1B, B-52H, and B-2A bombers have rendered these missile bases ineffective.
Ali-Mohammad Naini, the spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on Monday rejected Donald Trump's remarks and claimed that Iran's missile launches have increased in volume and are greater than before. Naini also stated that commercial and American ships are not passing through the Strait of Hormuz, contrary to Trump's assertions.
