In a fresh message broadcast on Iranian state television, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (or statements attributed to the leadership) announced that a new chapter is unfolding in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. He expressed confidence that the region would enjoy a bright future free from American presence.
The remarks, aired on Sunday, emphasize Iran’s long-standing call for regional autonomy and reduced foreign intervention in the Gulf. Iranian state media framed the statement as a vision for greater cooperation among Gulf nations without external powers dictating security dynamics.
This statement comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20% of global oil trade passes — remains a critical chokepoint. Earlier statements attributed to Iran’s leadership have emphasized using control over the strait as leverage during conflicts, including vows to maintain pressure on shipping routes in response to U.S. and Israeli actions.
Iran has repeatedly argued that U.S. military presence destabilizes the area rather than securing it, and that true stability will emerge only when external forces withdraw.