30 April 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran will protect nuclear program and turn over Strait of Hormuz management
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a statement on state television, read aloud by a presenter, on the date when Iran celebrates the National Day of the Persian Gulf.
Khamenei said, “Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression of the world’s bullies in the region and the shameful defeat of the United States in its plans, a new chapter is opening for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.”
He said the future of the Persian Gulf region would be “without the United States”, adding that there is no room there “except at the bottom of its waters” for “outsiders” coming with greedy intentions.
The statement by the relatively new ayatollah, who took over the role of US and Israeli airstrikes following his father’s death, once again points to Iran’s intentions to maintain its nuclear program and implement some new system, such as a toll for passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the Iranians view technological capabilities, including nuclear and missile technologies, “as national assets and they will protect them in the same way they protect their land, sea and air borders.”
Khamenei also said Iran would “ensure the security” of the Persian Gulf and “end the abuse of the waterway by hostile enemies.”
“The new legal framework and management of the Strait of Hormuz will bring comfort and progress to all countries in the region and its economic benefits will bring happiness to the people,” he said, “even if non-believers oppose it.”