Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s First Public Remarks
Following a period of silence, Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, made statements on social media that suggest a bold outlook for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. He attributed the region’s instability to the United States and emphasized his commitment to protecting Iran’s nuclear advancements.
Experts have expressed skepticism about Khamenei’s statements, implying they may have been ghostwritten due to his recovery from the strikes on February 28, which reportedly resulted in injuries. Nevertheless, this marked his first public emergence since his father’s passing, coinciding with National Persian Gulf Day.
“A new chapter for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is unfolding,” he asserted. In another post, he criticized the U.S. presence in the region, claiming it is a primary source of unrest.
His declarations continued to reflect a hostile stance towards Washington, strangely juxtaposed against the recent ceasefire that had been established.
“The U.S.’s flimsy bases lack the resilience and capability even to ensure their own security,” he claimed.
Khamenei also expressed that the future of the Persian Gulf should be one without U.S. presence, asserting a belief in a shared fate with neighboring countries.
In his fervor, Khamenei declared that foreigners, particularly Americans, should be relegated to the depths of the Gulf, reflecting a desire for regional independence.
“Those foreigners from thousands of kilometers away have no place here except at the bottom of its waters,” he stated.
He emphasized that a new management approach to the Strait of Hormuz would foster comfort and progress for its neighboring nations, vowing to end foreign exploitation in the region.
“Iran’s new management of the Strait of Hormuz will secure comfort and progress for the benefit of all nations in the region,” he stated.
Khamenei went further, labeling the U.S. and other Western countries as malevolent forces that have historically held detrimental influences over the Gulf’s stability.
“The Persian Gulf has provoked the greed of many devils over the centuries,” he noted.
He criticized recent aggressive actions from the U.S., branding it as the “Great Satan.” Khamenei concluded his remarks by asserting that Iranians view their technological advancements, including nuclear capabilities, as national assets worthy of protection.
“90 million noble Iranians consider their scientific and technological capacities as national assets,” he noted.
Khamenei’s health has been a topic of concern, especially after the operation that led to his father’s demise. U.S. officials believe his condition may be more severe than publicly reported, as he has been largely absent from the public eye.
Continual attempts by U.S. diplomats to reach a diplomatic agreement with Iran over its nuclear developments have met challenges. Despite assurances from the Iranian regime that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, uranium enrichment levels have been reportedly heightened close to weapons-grade purity.
