Iran's new leader in defiant first message
Global News Podcast
BBC
4.3 β’ 8.3K Ratings
ποΈ 12 March 2026
β±οΈ 29 minutes
ποΈ Recording | iTunes | RSS
π§ΎοΈ Download transcript
Summary
Iranian state television has broadcast a message in the name of the newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The message was read by an announcer and gave no clue as to the state of the leader's health. Some reports say he was injured on the first day of US and Israeli attacks. In the message, he said Iran would avenge the blood of its martyrs, and continue to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the world's oil passes. We hear from people in Iran, many of whom say they are now living in constant fear. We also report from the US, where public approval for the war with Iran is the lowest at the start of any conflict since the Second World War, with around 41% agreeing with the US decision to attack Iran. In other news, a court in Russia has given life sentences to four men convicted of carrying out one of the worst terrorist attacks of recent years - the mass shooting at a concert hall outside Moscow. Also: an auction of a remarkable collection of legendary guitars - including Kurt Cobain's trademark 1969 Lake Placid blue Fender Mustang and other famous musical instruments, literary artefacts and sporting and film memorabilia - which belonged to the late billionaire American businessman, Jim Irsay.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health β we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is the Global News Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | This is the Global News Podcasts from the BBC World Service. |
| 0:11.3 | Hello, I'm Ankara Desai and at 16 hours GMT on Thursday the 12th of March. |
| 0:15.8 | These are our main stories. |
| 0:17.7 | A statement has been read on Iranian television purported to be from the country's new |
| 0:22.5 | supreme leader, Moshaba Khamini. The U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran continues to disrupt |
| 0:28.6 | all supplies and create financial market volatility. And one other headline, a so-called |
| 0:34.7 | ethnic unity law, has been passed in China that critics believe |
| 0:38.3 | will further erode the rights of minorities. |
| 0:43.6 | Also in this podcast. |
| 0:45.2 | Our theatre has been jammed with newspapers and hundreds of the dogs and all of the nation, |
| 0:48.5 | and these veterans agree with me that the city never is witnessed the excitement stirred by these junksers from Liverpool. |
| 0:53.4 | Right now and again |
| 0:54.4 | on the second half of our show. Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles. If you have some spare change, |
| 1:00.5 | may we interest you in a remarkable collection up for auction featuring guitars from music icons. |
| 1:09.0 | Four days after Mujdabakhamini was appointed as Iran's supreme leader, he has spoken to the Iranian people and the world for the very first time. |
| 1:18.6 | But it wasn't in person. |
| 1:20.5 | Instead, an announcer read his message on Iranian state television and gave no clue as to the state of the leader's health. |
| 1:28.5 | Some reports say he was injured in the attack that killed his father, his predecessor, |
| 1:33.2 | on the first day of U.S. and Israeli attacks. |
| 1:36.7 | Here's some of that statement. |
| 1:40.8 | Dear brothers of the armed forces, |
... |
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