In a written message, Iran’s supreme leader stated that the nation is not pursuing war

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, said in his latest written message that the Islamic Republic does not seek war with the United States and Israel, but will defend its national rights, state television reported on Thursday.

“We did not seek war and we do not want it,” he said in the message broadcast on state TV, weeks after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed on February 28, the first day of the conflict.

“But we will not renounce our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and in this regard, we view the entire resistance front as unified,” he added, in an apparent reference to Lebanon, where Israel is engaged in fighting with Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Iran this week agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States, raising prospects for peace talks after threats of annihilation from US President Donald Trump.

Khamenei also urged Iranians not to assume that public demonstrations are no longer necessary despite the ceasefire.

“Your presence in public squares will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the negotiations,” he said in the televised message.

Believed to have been wounded in the strike that killed his father, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since assuming leadership. Instead, he has issued written statements, most of which have been read out by presenters on state television.

While Donald Trump has speculated that he may be dead, Iranian state media maintains that he is recovering from his injuries and has released photos of him, without indicating when they were taken.