Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic will safeguard its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as part of the country’s national assets, even as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a deal on those issues. The remarks were delivered in a written statement read on state television; Khamenei has used written statements since assuming leadership after the February 28 airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei said all Iranians — inside and outside the country — view the nation’s identity-based, spiritual, scientific and technological capacities as assets to be defended, listing areas from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities alongside Iran’s territorial waters, land and airspace. “Ninety million proud and honourable Iranians … regard … nuclear and missile capabilities as national assets, and will protect them,” he said.
The supreme leader also issued a stark warning to the United States over its presence in the Persian Gulf, saying the only place Americans belong in the Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters.” He framed recent events as part of a shift in regional management following the outbreak of war involving Iran, the United States and Israel on February 28, saying a new chapter for the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is taking shape.
Khamenei argued that Tehran would secure the Gulf region and end what he described as “the enemy’s abuses of the waterway,” adding that new management of the Strait of Hormuz would bring calm, progress and economic benefits to all Gulf nations. “We and our neighbours across the waters of the Persian Gulf and the (Gulf) of Oman share a common destiny,” he said, warning that foreign powers have no place in the region.
The statements come as the United States seeks an international response to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington is soliciting partners for a proposed “Maritime Freedom Construct” — a coalition to share information, coordinate diplomatically and help enforce sanctions to allow ships to navigate the waterway after traffic stalled.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that President Trump will be briefed by the head of U.S. Central Command, Brad Cooper, on new military options regarding Iran. Sources cited by Axios say CENTCOM has prepared plans for what it describes as a “short and powerful” wave of strikes likely to include infrastructure targets; the White House and CENTCOM had no immediate comment.
Markets reacted to the heightened tensions: Brent crude spiked past USD 125 a barrel amid uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and doubts about a permanent end to the conflict. June Brent rose sharply, and July contracts also climbed; before the war in late February, Brent was trading around USD 70 a barrel.
On the nuclear front, Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful civilian uses and currently holds roughly 440 kilograms (about 970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% — material that, if further enriched, could be used for several nuclear weapons. Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, accused Trump of trying to divide Iranians and force surrender through a blockade, urging unity as the response to what he called an enemy conspiracy.
Diplomatic moves continue amid a fragile ceasefire. Iran’s latest proposal — suspended under the ceasefire reached on April 8 — would defer detailed talks about its nuclear program until after a formal end to the conflict and resolution of shipping issues. That stance did not meet the U.S. demand to prioritize the nuclear question up front. A Pakistani source told Reuters that Washington had shared “observations” on the Iranian proposal and awaited Iran’s response; Tehran asked for time until the end of the week to reply.
