Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reiterated the country’s resolve to protect its nuclear and missile programmes despite increasing pressure from the United States, while also projecting a future Persian Gulf free from American presence.
The stance was conveyed in a statement released on Thursday to commemorate National Persian Gulf Day, with Iranian state media quoting Khamenei as envisioning a region “without America.”
Khamenei, who took office in March after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, has kept a relatively low public profile since tensions in the region intensified.
In the statement, he emphasized that Iran would continue to defend its strategic capabilities regardless of pressure from the United States and Israel.
He also reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to securing the Persian Gulf and preventing what he described as hostile exploitation of the vital waterway.
His remarks come amid rising regional tensions, following comments by Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, who warned that the country would respond decisively to any escalation involving the United States and Israel.
Irani stated that Iran is ready to take swift and firm action if hostilities resume, adding that steps have been taken to strengthen control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.