Iran’s supreme leader in hiding is sending Washington a message.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei used a Persian Gulf Day statement Thursday to vow that Iran will protect its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as national assets, even as President Donald Trump seeks a broader deal to lock in a shaky ceasefire.
Khamenei, who has issued written statements read by state television since taking over as supreme leader, struck a defiant tone and said the only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters.”
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“By God’s help and power, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without America,” Khamenei said, according to AP.
The statement comes as Iran’s oil industry faces pressure from a U.S. Navy blockade designed to stop Tehran from selling oil, while Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy passage.
Reuters reported Khamenei said a “new chapter” for the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz has been taking shape since the Iran war with the U.S. and Israel broke out on Feb. 28.
Tehran’s message: no retreat on missiles, no retreat on nuclear capacity, and no apology for trying to control the waterway.
“Ninety million proud and honorable Iranians,” Khamenei said, view Iran’s scientific, industrial and technological capacities “from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities” as national assets to be protected like the country’s borders.
“With practical gratitude for the blessing of implementing management of the Strait of Hormuz, Islamic Iran will secure the Persian Gulf region and eliminate the hostile enemy’s abuses of this waterway.”
🚨 JUST NOW: Iranian “Supreme Leader” Mojtaba Khamenei WENT OFF vowing to sink American ships to the “bottom of its waters” 🤡
The blockade is DEVASTATING Iran, which is why Khamenei put out this statement
President Trump will today be briefed on possible US military plans by… pic.twitter.com/9TCH5p1voK
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 30, 2026
This story is developing…
Supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written statement that Iran will protect its nuclear and missile capabilities as a national asset, likely drawing a hard line as President Trump seeks a wider deal. Khamenei also insisted Americans belong “at the bottom” of the…
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 30, 2026
