In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it or similar to it.
Peace be upon you, O caller to God and divine teacher of His signs.
Peace be upon you, O Gate to God and judge of His religion.
Peace be upon you, O vicegerent of God and supporter of His truth.
Peace be upon you, O proof of God and guide to His will.
Peace be upon you, O the awaited leader placed at the forefront.
Peace be upon you with the most comprehensive greetings of peace.
Peace be upon you, O my master, the Lord of the Age.

To begin, I’d like to express my heartfelt condolences to Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) for the martyrdom of the Late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayat. Seyyed Ali Khamenei. I’d also like to pray for the Iranian nation, all Muslims across the world, all those who serve the Revolution and sacrifice their lives for its survival, the families of martyrs, especially those who lost their lives in the recent war.
Second, I’d like to address the Iranian nation. Let me first express my opinion about the decision of the Assembly of Experts. Yours truly, Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, got to know about the results of the Assembly of Experts’ vote via the national television. For me, it is a demanding task to fill in the shoes of two previous great leaders of the Revolution—Imam Khomeini and the martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Because someone previously filled this position who had, for over 60 years, served on the path of God, and had become the most prominent among the rulers of this country. Both his life and demise were intertwined with a glory rooted in dependence on God.
I was honored to see his body after martyrdom; what I saw was a mountain of stability flexing his healthy hand into a fist, as I was told. Those who know him closely will surely tell a lot about his personality in future. This is why taking this position is a difficult task after such a person. Certainly, I need divine help and your support to tread on this path.
Following, I’d like to stress a point, which is directly related to my statement. That is, one of the leadership skills of the martyred Leader and his great predecessor was letting people in on every field and giving them insight and relying on their support. The two previous leaders were faithful to the true meaning of republic this way and firmly believed in that. The clear sign of this was witnessed over the few days when the new leader and commander in chief had not been appointed yet. The insight and courage staged by the great Iranian nation has brought friends to praise and foes to wonder. It was the people who guaranteed the leadership and its strength. According to the Holy Quran, no verse will be expired or forgotten only when something similar or better than that is given to mankind.     
This does not mean that I am comparable to the martyred Leader or even better than him; rather, my point is highlighting your role (as Iranian nation). If we do not enjoy that blessing any more, once again the blessing of public presence is granted to us. Be sure that if you are not present on the stage (of Revolution), neither leadership nor any other branches of government will be able to perform well. 
Second, the unity and solidarity among people should not be disrupted at all. This is only possible if we disregard our differences.
Third, efficient presence on the stage should be preserved; pretty much like your presence, day and night, during the recent war, you should continue playing roles in social, political, educational, cultural and security fields. What is important, meanwhile, is understanding your role well without damaging social unity and performing that role as much as possible. One of the duties of the leader is reminding the public of these roles. Therefore, I should stress on the great demonstration on International Quds Day this year to counter enemy plots.  
Four, do not avoid helping each other. This is an established Iranian feature to hold to each other at junctures. In the same vein, I ask all service departments to provide all the necessary assistance to the nation.
The third part of my message is my gratitude to our courageous soldiers who selflessly rose up to defend the nation at a time when Iran is cruelly attacked by the global arrogance. 
My dear brothers in the military forces! Continuation of strong and efficient defense is a national demand. Also, the option of blocking the Strait of Hormuz needs to be on the agenda. Opening new fronts in which the enemy has little experience and is therefore vulnerable, there will also be on the agenda if hostilities continue.
I am also grateful to the soldiers of the resistance front. The countries in the resistance front are among our best friends, and the resistance is an inseparable value of the Revolution. Without a doubt, the cooperation among the members of this front will shorten the route to free the world from the Zionist sedition. As we saw, Yemen did not let Gaza alone, and Hezbollah has come to the help of the Islamic Republic despite all the obstacles, and so does the Iraqi resistance.
In the fourth part of my statement, I want to address those who have been affected in one way or another. Those who lost someone or got wounded, and those whose properties and homes got damaged. I share their sorrows as I myself is grieving the loss of my father, spouse, sister, her little child, and a brother-in-law. But something that has alleviated this great loss is believing in the divine promise of a great blessing for those who patiently sit through hardships for God.
I assure you that we will not forgo revenging for your loss. The revenge I am talking about is not only for the martyrdom of our Late Leader, rather, each Iranian soul that is martyred is an independent case for revenge. A part of this revenge has already been taken, but it is not complete yet, and we are even more serious about the martyrdom of our children – particularly the crime the enemy deliberately committed on the school in Minab, southern Iran.
Those who were mutilated should definitely receive free medical care and enjoy some other benefits. 
Also, as far as current capacities allow, all physical damage to properties should be compensated.
Another point that must be emphasized is that in any case, we will demand reparations from the enemy. If it refuses, we will take compensation from its assets as much as we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible either, we will destroy an equivalent amount of its property.
The fifth part of my remarks is addressed to the leaders and influential officials of certain countries in the region. We share land or maritime borders with fifteen countries and have always wished for warm and constructive relations with all of them. However, for years the enemy has gradually established bases—both military and financial—in some of these countries in order to secure its dominance over the region. In the recent attack, some of these military bases were used. Naturally, as we had clearly warned beforehand, and without attacking those countries themselves, we targeted only those bases. From now on, we will be compelled to continue doing so, although we still believe in the necessity of friendship with our neighbors. These countries must determine their stance regarding those who have attacked our homeland and killed our people. I recommend that they close those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the American claim of establishing security and peace is nothing but a lie.
Such an action would also bring them closer to their own peoples—who are generally dissatisfied with alignment with the front of disbelief and its humiliating behavior—and would increase their wealth and power. Once again I emphasize that the Islamic Republic seeks neither domination nor colonial influence in the region; rather, it is fully prepared for sincere and warm mutual relations with all its neighbors.
In the sixth part of my remarks, I address our martyred leader. O Leader, by your departure you placed a heavy sorrow upon all hearts. You had always longed for this fate, and at last God granted it to you while you were reciting the Holy Quran on the morning of the tenth day of the blessed month of Ramadan. You endured many injustices with strength and patience without even a frown. Many did not recognize your true worth, and perhaps many years must pass before the veils and obstacles are removed and some of its dimensions become known.
We hope that from the station of closeness granted to you among the pure lights, the truthful, the martyrs, and the saints, you will continue to think of the progress of this nation and all the nations of the resistance front and intercede for them, just as you did during your worldly life. We pledge to you that we will strive with all our being to raise this banner—the main banner of the front of truth—and to achieve your sacred goals.
In the seventh part, I thank all the honorable figures who have supported me, including the grand religious authorities, cultural, political, and social personalities, and the people who participated in magnificent gatherings to renew their allegiance to the system. I also thank the officials of the three branches of government and the temporary leadership council for their wise decisions and actions.
I hope that God’s special grace in these blessed hours and days will encompass the entire Iranian nation and indeed all Muslims and the oppressed people of the world.
Finally, I ask our master—may God hasten his reappearance—that during the remaining nights and days of Qadr in the blessed month of Ramadan he seek from God decisive victory over the enemy for our nation, as well as dignity, prosperity, and well‑being for them, and high stations and eternal peace for their departed ones.
And peace, and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei

Esfand 21, 1404 (March 12, 2026 - Ramadan 22, 1447)