Former Iranian foreign minister and senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, declared that no global power can strip Tehran of its ownership over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to state television, he stated that the strait is part of Iran and credited Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership for securing control during a 40-day war, calling it a valuable achievement.

The statement came as the United States launched new attacks on Iran, claiming the operations aim to prevent Tehran from posing threats to ships navigating through the strait. Earlier, Iran had targeted several oil tankers using alternative routes to the vital waterway.

In retaliation, Iran has attacked multiple U.S. military bases across the Gulf region, including installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, escalating tensions between the two nations.