Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a new written statement that was read aloud on Iranian state television on Thursday. In a major declaration, he said that Iran will protect its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as a national asset, even as US President Donald Trump has pledged to continue the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz until a nuclear deal is reached with Tehran.
“Ninety million proud and honourable Iranians inside and outside the country regard all of Iran’s identity-based, spiritual, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities, from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities, as national assets and will protect them just as they protect the country’s waters, land and airspace,” Khamenei said.
“Future Without America”
Khamenei, in a vitriolic criticism of Americans, said that the only place they belong to in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters”.
“By God’s help and power, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without America, one serving the progress, comfort and prosperity of its people,” Khamenei said in the statement.
Read | Why Iran’s Oil Industry Is Being Squeezed By US Blockade
“We and our neighbours across the waters of the Persian Gulf and the (Gulf) of Oman share a common destiny. Foreigners who come from thousands of kilometres away to act with greed and malice there have no place in it, except at the bottom of its waters,” Khamenei added.
“Disgraceful Defeat” Of The United States
He claimed that the United States has been defeated in its war on Iran. Calling the US and Israel “bullies in the region”, he said that America faced “disgraceful defeat” in its plans and that a “new chapter” is now unfolding for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Read | Trump Shares Map Renaming Hormuz As ‘Strait Of Trump’ Amid Naval Blockade
His remarks come as Iran’s oil industry has begun to be squeezed by a US Navy blockade halting its oil tankers from getting out to sea. Meanwhile, benchmark Brent crude for June delivery reached as much as $126 a barrel in trading on Thursday as Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded passes.
With a fragile ceasefire in place, the US and Iran are locked in a standoff over the strait. The US blockade is designed to prevent Iran from selling its oil, depriving it of crucial revenue while also potentially creating a situation where Tehran has to shut off production because it has nowhere to store oil.