Iran’s Supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei said Friday that Iran has dealt its enemies a “dizzying blow” in the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, as fresh explosions rocked Tehran on the first day of the Persian New Year.

 

 

 

In a written Nowruz message, Khamenei said Iran’s unity had weakened its opponents.

 

 

 

“Iranians have dealt the enemy a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense,” he said.

 

 

 

He added that despite differences across religious, cultural, and political lines, national unity had played a key role in confronting external threats.

 

 

 

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes at the start of the war on February 28.

 

 

 

The statement came as multiple blasts were heard across Tehran, particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the city, during what is usually a festive Nowruz period.

 

 

 

Tensions also escalated in Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities said missile fragments caused a blast in the Old City, near major religious sites including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israel accused Iran of targeting sacred locations.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war could end sooner than expected, claiming Iran was “being decimated,” though he warned a ground operation might still be required.

 

 

 

The conflict has severely disrupted global energy markets, particularly after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipments.

 

 

 

Drone and missile strikes have also hit major energy facilities across the Gulf, including refineries in Kuwait and gas infrastructure in Qatar, raising fears of prolonged economic fallout.

 

 

 

U.S. President Donald Trump criticised allied nations for refusing to support efforts to reopen the strait, calling them “cowards” and warning their موقف would be remembered.

 

 

 

Global powers including United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan have expressed willingness to support efforts to secure the route, though no concrete plans have been announced.

 

 

 

The war has already driven sharp increases in energy prices, with analysts warning that sustained damage to infrastructure could trigger a broader global economic crisis.

 

 

 

The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli airstrikes have pushed the death toll beyond 1,000, according to local authorities.