Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared that the country has dealt its adversaries a “dizzying blow” in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, as fresh explosions were reported across Tehran during the first day of Nowruz.
In a written message marking the Persian New Year on Friday, Khamenei said Iran’s strength lies in its unity, noting that internal cohesion has weakened its opponents despite the intensity of the conflict.
“Iranians have dealt the enemy a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense,” he said, adding that solidarity across religious, cultural, and political divides has been central to confronting external threats.
Mojtaba Khamenei has maintained a largely low public profile since assuming leadership following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes at the onset of hostilities on February 28.
The statement came amid reports of multiple explosions across Tehran, particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the city, disrupting what is traditionally a festive period for Nowruz celebrations.
Tensions also escalated in Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities said missile fragments triggered a blast in the Old City, near key religious landmarks including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israel accused Iran of targeting sensitive religious locations, raising fears of further escalation.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the conflict could end sooner than anticipated, claiming that Iran was “being decimated,” although he warned that a ground offensive might still be necessary.
The war has had severe repercussions on global energy markets, particularly after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel for oil and gas shipments. The disruption has significantly reduced global supply and heightened market volatility.
Drone and missile strikes have also hit key energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including refineries in Kuwait and gas facilities in Qatar, intensifying concerns over prolonged economic fallout.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized allied nations for declining to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as “cowards” and warning that their stance would not be forgotten.
Despite the tensions, several global powers—including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan—have signaled willingness to support efforts to secure the waterway, although no concrete military or diplomatic plan has yet been finalized.
Analysts warn that sustained damage to critical infrastructure and continued disruption to energy flows could trigger a broader global economic crisis if the conflict persists.
The hostilities have also expanded beyond Iran’s borders, with the conflict spilling into Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli airstrikes have reportedly pushed the death toll beyond 1,000, according to local authorities.
As the war intensifies, the combination of military escalation, economic disruption, and geopolitical tensions continues to raise concerns about a wider regional and global crisis.
