Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has broken his recent silence with a strongly defiant message, asserting Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and pledging full protection of the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities. In a statement broadcast on state television, he claimed that the United States had failed in its regional objectives and that a “new chapter” was beginning in the Persian Gulf.
Khamenei said Iran would secure the strategic waterway from what he described as “foreign abuse,” adding that new arrangements would bring economic benefit and regional stability. He framed Iran’s position as an assertion of sovereignty and suggested that any future management of the strait would serve the interests of all regional states.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil flows. Amid rising tensions, Iran has sought greater leverage over the passage, while the United States has tightened countermeasures against Iranian shipping through a partial blockade of its ports.
With Pakistan-mediated negotiations stalled, the crisis has contributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices, which have surged above $120 per barrel. Maritime traffic through the strait has dropped dramatically, raising concerns over global energy stability.
Khamenei also reiterated Iran’s commitment to safeguarding its advanced technological sectors, including nuclear and missile development, calling them vital national assets. His statement comes amid ongoing speculation about his health and limited public appearances in recent months.
