Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reaffirmed the country’s determination to safeguard its nuclear and missile capabilities despite mounting pressure from the United States, while also outlining a vision of a Persian Gulf region without American influence.
The position was outlined in a statement issued on Thursday to mark National Persian Gulf Day, with Iranian state media quoting Khamenei as describing the region’s future as one “without America”.
Khamenei, who assumed office in March following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, has largely stayed out of public appearances since the escalation of the ongoing conflict.
In the statement, he stressed that Iran would continue to defend its strategic capabilities regardless of external pressure from the United States and Israel.
He further stated that Tehran remains committed to securing the Persian Gulf and preventing what he described as hostile exploitation of the critical waterway.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, following comments by Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Iranian Navy, who warned that the country would respond firmly if confrontations with the United States and Israel escalate.
Irani said Iran is prepared to take “swift and decisive action” in the event of renewed hostilities, adding that measures have been taken to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
