U.S. intelligence has circulated to President Trump and to a small circle around him that Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had misgivings about his son replacing him, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

The analysis showed the elder Khamenei was wary of his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, ever taking power because he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader, sources told the news channel.

The information gathered also indicated that the father was aware that his son had issues in his personal life, according to sources within the administration, the intelligence community and people close to the president, reported CBS News. 

Meanwhile, in his first statement since reportedly assuming the position of Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as leverage against the United States and warned that attacks on regional targets could continue.

The statement was read out by a news anchor on Iranian state television on Thursday, with Mojtaba Khamenei not appearing on camera.

He warned that U.S. military bases in the region could come under attack if they continued operating.

“I recommend that they close those bases as soon as possible, because they must have realised by now that the claim of establishing security and peace by America was nothing more than a lie,” he said.

Mojtaba Khamenei also vowed revenge for those killed in the conflict, stating that Iran would seek compensation from its adversaries. If compensation was not provided, he warned that Iran would target their assets.

“A limited amount of this revenge has so far taken concrete form, but until it is fully achieved, this case will remain among our priorities,” he said.

Tribute to his father

Speaking about his father, Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba said Iran would never retreat and would resist “with full force,” vowing to avenge not only his father but every Iranian citizen killed during the conflict.

“I had the honour of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” he said. “What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness.”

He added that he would continue along the path set by his father and declared that Iran would never forget “the blood of the martyrs.”

Mojtba Khamenei also thanked allied armed groups across the region, including fighters from Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq, referring to them collectively as the “Resistance Front.”