Iran's New Leader Speaks on Strait and Nuclear Plans
Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has broken his silence. He made statements about Iran's control over a key global waterway.
He also spoke about keeping Iran's nuclear weapons program. Khamenei became leader after his father was killed in US airstrikes in February 2026.
He has not appeared in public since then. He has only sent written statements read on state television.
The statements were made to mark Persian Gulf Day in Iran. Khamenei said Iran would set new legal rules for the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Iran would stop what he called enemy abuses of the waterway. He also said Iranians will defend their nuclear program as a national asset.
Tehran will also guard its missile program. Reports say Iran has been charging ships about $2 million each to pass through the strait.
Oil prices hit $126 a barrel on Thursday. President Trump is reportedly planning to reopen the strait. This includes working with allies to raise costs on Iran for blocking the waterway.
Key Terms 4
- Strait of Hormuz Narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman; vital for global oil shipping
- Supreme leader Iran's highest authority with power over military and government
- Brent crude A global benchmark used to set the price of oil worldwide
- Persian Gulf Day Iranian national day marking historical claims over the Persian Gulf