Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei announced in a written statement that Tehran will ensure the security of the Gulf region and eliminate what he described as the ‘enemy’s misuse’ of the sea routes. His declaration comes as tensions persist over maritime control and regional stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the American naval blockade on Iranian ports could continue for several more months. He said Washington is waiting for Tehran to accept an agreement and, in his words, to ‘give up.’ Trump emphasized that the blockade would remain in place until Iran complies with the terms of the proposed deal. In contrast, Khamenei reaffirmed Iran’s determination to maintain its dominance and security in the region.

The statements from both leaders underscore the ongoing standoff between Tehran and Washington over control of Gulf waters, with no immediate sign of de-escalation mentioned in the source.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated in a speech on the future of the Persian Gulf region that the area’s bright future will be 'America-free.' He asserted that the region will eventually operate free from foreign influence, focusing instead on the progress, comfort, and prosperity of its own people.

Khamenei emphasized that the presence of external powers remains the main obstacle to peace and development in the region. He argued that if regional countries remain united, they can use their own resources and strategic positions to ensure prosperity independently. He also said that increased cooperation among Persian Gulf nations would reduce dependence on foreign powers, ultimately benefiting the region’s population.

His remarks centered on regional security and economic self-reliance, highlighting a vision of collective strength and independence from outside interference.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said that a ‘new chapter’ has begun in the Persian Gulf and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following what he described as the United States’ ‘shameful failure’. He made the remarks on Tuesday in a statement marking Iran’s National Persian Gulf Day, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Khamenei stated that two months after what he called the world’s largest military operation and aggression, planned by the United States, ended in failure, a new phase is unfolding in the region. The statement was broadcast by Iranian state media on the day commemorating the 1622 expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Khamenei’s comments highlight Iran’s growing control over regional maritime routes and a perceived decline in US influence amid recent tensions.

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has announced that the country will soon unveil a new weapon described as terrifying to its enemies. According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV on Wednesday, Irani remarked that he hoped the weapon would not cause the enemy a “heart attack.” He said the announcement follows recent military confrontations in which Iran claims to have successfully countered foreign aggression.

Irani stated that enemy forces had believed they could achieve their objectives quickly through attacks on Iran, but those assumptions have now become a subject of ridicule in military academies. He also claimed that Iran’s navy launched at least seven missile strikes against the U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, temporarily halting its flight operations. The commander added that since the aggression began on February 28, Iranian forces have carried out around 100 retaliatory strikes on sensitive U.S. and Israeli targets across West Asia.

Irani further asserted that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea and warned that any further approach by enemy forces would trigger immediate action. Despite the blockade, he claimed some Iranian ships have successfully reached their destinations.

Iran has accumulated about 22,000 pounds, or 11 tons, of enriched uranium since the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal eight years ago. Despite a U.S. military campaign launched two months ago to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the current status of this stockpile remains unclear. The uncertainty follows U.S. airstrikes in June 2025 on Iran’s enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow, and on uranium storage tunnels in Isfahan.

After the attacks, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, ending direct monitoring of its enrichment sites. Satellite imagery has not resolved where the uranium is stored, and some of it may be buried under war debris. Experts say that even if Iran retrieves the material, it would take many months to convert it into weapons-grade fuel. The Trump administration claims U.S. satellites are tracking the buried uranium, but analysts question this, suggesting Iran may have moved much of its stockpile to a new underground site near Isfahan.

The situation leaves open the possibility that Iran retains a hidden enrichment facility capable of restarting weapons-related activities if conditions allow.

Around 20,000 sailors are stranded in the Persian Gulf as hundreds of oil, gas, and cargo ships remain unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to a US blockade and ongoing security risks. The standoff has persisted for nearly eight weeks, leaving crews such as that of Indian captain Rahul Dhar confined to their tankers while maintaining operations under growing psychological strain.

The sailors had hoped for relief after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 7, but the conflict has yet to reach a clear resolution. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, normally handling about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only about 80 ships crossed the strait between April 13 and 19, compared with more than 130 per day before the conflict, underscoring the severe slowdown in maritime traffic.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has blamed the presence of US military forces in the Middle East for the region’s ongoing instability. He made the remarks amid escalating tensions and reciprocal attacks between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Khamenei stated that the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf is the main cause of insecurity in the region.

He described US military installations as “puppet bases” lacking the strength to ensure their own safety, let alone protect pro-American allies in the area. According to Khamenei, foreign intervention continues to fuel regional unrest and dependency. His comments were seen as a call for Middle Eastern nations to reduce reliance on the United States.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, comes as regional powers engage in diplomatic and military maneuvers, including discussions on security in Riyadh and ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Gaza.

Iran’s senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Tehran would not tolerate an extension of the naval blockade. Speaking to Iran’s state television early Thursday, Rezaei cautioned the United States that Iran would respond if the blockade continued. He argued that such measures had been ineffective and claimed Iran could easily navigate the Indian Ocean despite restrictions.

Rezaei’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump reportedly instructed allies to prepare for a prolonged naval blockade. The comments highlight growing friction between Tehran and Washington over maritime control and regional security. Rezaei also urged the Iranian public not to believe rumors about Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, saying he remains young, healthy, and actively leading the country.

The warning underscores Iran’s defiant stance amid escalating regional tensions and signals potential maritime confrontations if the blockade persists.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States and Israel for the ongoing tension and blockade situation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a message broadcast by state media on National Persian Gulf Day, he reiterated his stance on keeping what he called “hostile countries” away from this vital waterway, describing the strait as a “symbol of resistance” for the Iranian nation.

Pezeshkian asserted that any insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz would be the responsibility of the United States and Israel, which he referred to as the “Zionist regime.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transport routes, and analysts believe such political statements could further heighten tensions in the Middle East.

The remarks come amid a period of regional volatility, with the strait’s stability remaining a key concern for global energy security, according to the report.

Iran celebrated its annual National Persian Gulf Day at the end of April, commemorating the 1622 expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz. This year’s observance carried special significance due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including an unstable truce with the United States and continued blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.

The celebration began at Tehran’s Tabiat Bridge, where around 10,000 people joined a “sports gathering,” according to state media. Iran’s deputy minister for sports development told the Mehr News Agency that the current situation required strengthening social stability and resilience by harnessing the people’s high morale.

Amid political and military strain, this year’s Persian Gulf Day was viewed not only as a historical commemoration but also as a demonstration of national unity and resistance within Iran.

International discussion has intensified over whether the United States’ ongoing economic and naval sanctions can effectively stop Iran’s oil exports. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that despite the sanctions, no major damage has occurred to Iran’s oil fields and the country is prepared to withstand economic pressure for at least 30 more days. The US, however, maintains that its sanctions are working, arguing that if Iran cannot export oil, storage limits will eventually force production cuts.

Satellite data show that since the sanctions began on April 13, Iran’s oil storage has risen sharply. By April 20, storage tanks on Kharg Island—through which about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass—were 74 percent full, with an additional three million barrels added, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy. Analysts note that oil companies typically avoid filling storage beyond 80 percent for safety reasons.

Experts suggest that while the sanctions are increasing pressure, they are unlikely to halt production immediately. Instead, Iran may face a gradual slowdown leading to a prolonged economic strain.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked U.S. President Donald Trump over the surge in global oil prices and Washington’s so-called ‘sanctions theory’. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said that figures like Information Minister Scott Besent were giving Trump’s administration ‘false advice’, which he claimed was pushing oil prices toward 120 dollars per barrel. He added that the next destination for oil prices would be 140 dollars.

Ghalibaf also ridiculed Trump’s recent remarks about Iran’s energy infrastructure. Trump had told Fox News that Iran’s oil lines could soon explode internally, causing irreversible damage within three days. Referring to that interview, Ghalibaf said that three days had already passed without any explosion and sarcastically offered to extend the countdown to 30 days, even suggesting a live broadcast of the oil wells on X.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over energy markets and sanctions, as reported by CNN.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on citizens to remain united against what he described as enemy conspiracies aimed at weakening the country from within. Speaking on April 30, 2026, Ghalibaf accused US President Donald Trump of trying to force Tehran into submission through economic pressure and by dividing the Iranian people. He characterized these efforts as part of a broader strategy of blockade and media manipulation.

Ghalibaf, identified as a key negotiator in ceasefire talks with the United States, emphasized that maintaining unity among Iranians is the main way to resist such conspiracies. He stated that every act of division serves the enemy’s plans and reaffirmed that all Iranian officials follow the directives of the Supreme Leader. However, he did not provide further details about the divisions he mentioned.

The remarks reflect Tehran’s continued framing of external pressure as part of a coordinated campaign to destabilize the country, underscoring the leadership’s focus on internal cohesion in the face of foreign challenges.

Iran’s football federation representatives were absent from a crucial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Vancouver, Canada, held ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The congress, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was described as the most significant formal gathering of Asian football leaders before the tournament.

No discussion took place regarding Iran’s participation or the possible relocation of its matches from the United States due to the ongoing war. However, Iran’s absence sparked speculation among attendees. Reports suggest that visa complications may have prevented the Iranian delegation from reaching Vancouver, raising concerns about their participation in Thursday’s FIFA Congress and the World Cup starting on June 11.

At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were presented to the nine Asian teams that qualified for the World Cup. When Iran’s name was called, organizers stated that their gift would be handed over once the delegation arrived. Neither the AFC nor Iranian officials have issued an official explanation for the absence.

Iran’s government has approved a new plan allowing citizens to purchase essential goods on credit, according to Iranian media reports published on April 29, 2026. Under the scheme, families receiving government assistance will be able to buy basic items from shops every two months on credit, with the government acting as a guarantor for repayment. The value of purchases cannot exceed the amount of assistance each family receives. Funding for the initiative will come from private companies.

The decision comes as prices of many goods in Iran have risen sharply in recent weeks. Tehran-based newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad has presented three possible inflation scenarios for the current year. It reported that if Iran reaches an agreement with the United States, inflation could be contained at around 49 percent. If the current “no war, no peace” situation continues, inflation may rise to 67 percent. However, if conflict intensifies, the country could face hyperinflation, with rates potentially reaching 123 percent.

The plan aims to ease short-term financial pressure on low-income families while broader economic uncertainties persist.