Iran Supreme Leader says foreigners with greed belong at ‘bottom of its waters’

3 min read Updated: Apr 30, 2026 06:40 PM IST A woman holds up pictures of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, left, and his father, the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a state-organised rally. (AP Photo) Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday declared that “a new chapter” is emerging for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz , following what he suggested America’s “shameful failure” as the impasse continues to resolve the conflict in West Asia between US-Israel and Iran. In a statement posted by Tehran’s state-news service IRNA in commemoration of National Persian Gulf Day, Khamenei said, “We and our neighbors across the waters of the Persian Gulf and the (Gulf) of Oman share a common destiny. Foreigners who come from thousands of kilometers away to act with greed and malice there have no place in it — except at the bottom of its waters.” Iran’s Supreme Leader said that Tehran would secure the Gulf region and eliminate what he called “the enemy’s ​abuses ​of ⁠the waterway.” Mojtaba Khamenei added that the new management for the Strait of Hormuz would bring “calm, progress and economic benefits” for all the Gulf countries. In an apparent dig at US President Donald Trump , Khamenei asserted that Iran will closely guard its missile and nuclear capabilities. Iranians view the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities “as their national capital and will guard them like water, land and air borders,” Khamenei stated, Al Jazeera reported. Today is Persian Gulf Day in Iran, marking our ancestors’ expulsion of Portuguese from Strait of Hormuz 400 years ago. POTUS uses the correct term “Persian Gulf”, not the Pentagon’s fake version. But calling Hormuz anything else is indeed a “terrible mistake”. pic.twitter.com/KcGwj83W2B — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 30, 2026 This comes as oil prices soared to its highest level since the war broke out in West Asia between US-Israel and Iran with Brent Crude, the international benchmark, touching $126 per barrel on Thursday while Tehran maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway, responsible for 20 percent of global crude oil and natural gas passage. The US Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports continues which is designed to prevent the Islamic nation from selling its oil, in order to deprive the country from accumulating the crucial revenue. Khamenei has signalled that the Strait of Hormuz will remain shut. Iran will return to diplomacy ‘once US changes its behaviour’ Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Tehran is ready to resume the path of diplomacy but listed out the condition wherein the Islamic nation wants “Washington to change its behaviour.” Story continues below this ad Taking a potshot at President Trump, Araghchi earlier posted on X, “POTUS uses the correct term “Persian Gulf”, not the Pentagon’s fake version. But calling Hormuz anything else is indeed a “terrible mistake”.” The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Strait of Hormuz US Iran tensions