Iran’s Supreme Chief Mojtaba Khamenei broke his silence with a press release learn out on state TV on Thursday.
Supreme Chief Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since taking energy earlier this 12 months (Picture: NurPhoto through Getty Photographs)
Iran’s Supreme Chief, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared the nation will defend its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as important nationwide belongings, in a direct problem to Donald Trump amid ongoing tensions. In a written assertion learn out on Iranian state tv, Khamenei doubled down on Tehran’s refusal to compromise on its weapons programmes, regardless of US efforts to safe a deal.
“Ninety million proud and honourable Iranians inside and out of doors the nation regard all of Iran’s identity-based, non secular, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities – from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities – as nationwide belongings,” he mentioned, “and can shield them simply as they shield the nation’s waters, land and airspace”. The Islamic Republic’s prime authority had communicated by written messages since taking energy following the February 28 airstrike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. His remarks come as Washington continues to push Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions, with Trump insisting Iran mustn’t ever be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
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In March, Donald Trump shared footage of huge explosions over Isfahan – a key hub of Iran’s nuclear programme – following reported US-Israeli strikes.
The town is dwelling to main nuclear services and shops of extremely enriched uranium, making it a important goal in efforts to cripple Tehran’s atomic capabilities.
The Supreme Leaders feedback come as Iran maintains tight management over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international delivery route, heightening fears of additional escalation within the area.
Ordinarily, round a fifth of the world’s oil transits the strait.
In statements made on Thursday, Khamenei additionally issued a stark warning over the area, declaring the one place for People within the Persian Gulf “is on the backside of its waters”.
He added: “By God’s assist and energy, the intense way forward for the Persian Gulf area can be a future with out America, one serving the progress, consolation and prosperity of its folks.”
إن المستقبل المشرق لمنطقة الخليج الفارسي سيكون مستقبلًا خاليًا من أمريكا، ومسخّرًا لخدمة تقدّم شعوبها وتوفير الاستقرار والرفاهية لهم.
— آية الله السيد مجتبى الحسيني الخامنئي (@MKhamenei_ar) April 30, 2026
“We and our neighbors throughout the waters of the Persian Gulf and the (Gulf) of Oman share a typical future. Foreigners who come from hundreds of kilometers away to behave with greed and malice there don’t have any place in it – besides on the backside of its waters.”
The escalating tensions have already rattled international markets, with oil costs surging to a four-year excessive.
A barrel of Brent crude has climbed previous $126 – its highest degree for the reason that early levels of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine – amid mounting fears of extended disruption to international provide routes.
Iran’s foreign money has plunged to a file low of round 1.8 million rials to the greenback amid mounting financial strain.
The drop comes as a US blockade within the Strait of Hormuz hits oil revenues, with state-linked stories warning “the continued American maritime piracy” is worsening the disaster.
Consultants say the collapse will gas inflation, driving up the price of imports from meals and drugs to uncooked supplies.
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