Strait of Hormuz must remain closed: Iran's new head - in first statement

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as "an instrument of pressure on the enemy," he said in a televised address translated by Reuters.

He also said that all U.S. military bases in countries in the Middle East region should be closed immediately; otherwise, they will be struck. "Iran will not give up avenging the blood of its martyrs," Khamenei said, calling for the unity of the Iranian people. He was quoted by CNBC as saying.

This is Mojtaba Khamenei's first public appearance since his appointment to the post on March 9 following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that began in late February.

Brent crude oil rose to $99.3 per barrel (up almost 8% from the previous close) on the back of statements by Iran's new supreme leader. WTI futures with delivery in April are trading at $94.39, also showing growth of a little more than 8%.

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