Message from Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since taking charge of the theocracy almost two months ago, was released by his office
O Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khameneiissued this Thursday (30) a rare statement in which he stated that the US will have no place in the future of the Persian Gulf and it also makes clear that the Iranian regime plans to manage the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict.
In the challenging message, Khamenei also promised that Iran will maintain its nuclear program and missile production capacity. The Iranian leader’s statement, which has not been seen in public since taking command of the theocracyalmost two months ago, was released by his office.
The text addressed two of the thorniest issues that have paralyzed negotiations with the USA. The American government seeks to restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions and insists that the country cannot limit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to vessels of its choosing.
“By the will and power of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf will be a future without the US,” says the statement, released on Iran’s National Persian Gulf Day, an annual commemoration of the military victory over Portugal in 1622 in the Strait of Hormuz
Regarding the dispute over the strait, one of the most important maritime routes for global oil, the Khamenei’s statement cited the future of the Persian Gulf without American influence. “Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away, acting maliciously out of greed, have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he said.
Toll
The statement further states that Iran will implement “new legal frameworks and management of the Strait of Hormuz,” suggesting that the country has no plans to give up control of the route. Over the weekend, the regime presented a proposal to reopen the strait – a plan that was rejected by Trump, because it imposed tolls on oil tankers passing through.
Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, including Oman, which borders the southern part of the strait, also opposed the idea. Negotiations to end the war have reached a impasse. Trump told aides this week that he was dissatisfied with Iran’s latest proposal, which would have reopened the strait, setting aside questions about its nuclear program.
Os two sides are implementing a double lockdown in Hormuz, used to transport one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Prices rose as a result of the siege. The war has had a profound impact on Iran’s economy. The rial, the national currency, hit new lows against the dollar this week.
Khamenei’s statement included Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities in a list of “national assets” that Iranians must protect, “just as they would protect their land, sea and air borders.”
Khamenei peppered his remarks yesterday with references to Persian Gulf National Day, which has taken on additional political significance for Iran’s authoritarian religious rulers. On social media, the ayatollah and other leaders used the date to link the current effort to control the route with a long list of historic battles against colonial powers across the strait.
