'Not right time for peace': Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei rejects 'ceasefire' proposals

The Supreme Leader of Iran Mojtaba ⁠Khamenei rejected ⁠proposals ‌for reducing tensions, ​or for a ceasefire with the ​United ⁠States that were conveyed to Tehran by ⁠two ‌intermediary countries, Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official ‌⁠on Tuesday.

Khamenei's stance for revenge ‌against ‌the US ‌and Israel was “very ‌tough and serious” in his ⁠first ⁠foreign policy session, the official said, without clarifying whether the leader attended ​in person.

The senior official said the supreme leader had said ⁠it was ⁠not "the right time for peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation”.

On Thursday, Mojtaba Khamnei said Iran will avenge the blood of its martyrs, keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and attack US bases in a statement read out on state television, his first remarks since succeeding his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The West Asia conflict escalated into its third week, with Israel and Iran exchanging strikes, and Iran targetting US military positions across the Gulf region, widening the focus of the conflict.