‘Enemy forces’ would soon be driven out of Arabian Sea: Iran’s Supreme Leader

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said enemy forces have suffered heavy losses at the hands of Iranian fighters and defenders of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the Arabian Sea will soon be free of their presence.

According to Iranian state television, Khamenei made the remarks in a written statement issued on Monday.

He said that following attacks by Iranian forces and defenders of the Strait of Hormuz, opposing forces were now reluctant to move beyond the Arabian Sea.

Khamenei said whenever enemy forces had taken the risk of advancing further, they had suffered losses, adding that the day was approaching when the Arabian Sea would also be cleared of their presence.

Iran Says Balance of Power Has Changed

Khamenei said Iran’s military and defence capabilities had changed the balance of power in the region.

He said some observers now regarded Iran as the fourth superpower in the world, while stressing that Iran had moved from an earlier period of dependence and weakness to greater sovereignty, strength and standing in the Islamic world.

According to Khamenei, powers that once sought to dominate Iran now face the country’s growing military capabilities.

He said those seeking to push Iran back to its past would fail because that era had ended and would not return.

Message Comes Amid US-Iran Diplomacy

Although Khamenei did not directly name the United States in the statement, his remarks were presented by Iranian media as a warning to US forces operating in the region.

The statement comes as diplomatic efforts continue to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran over a possible ceasefire and broader settlement.

Indirect contacts involving regional mediators are also expected as the two sides remain divided over the conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Khamenei Remains Out of Public View

Khamenei was selected as Iran’s Supreme Leader after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the February 28 attack.

Iranian authorities have said Mojtaba Khamenei was also injured in the attack and has not appeared publicly since becoming Supreme Leader. His statements have instead been delivered through Iranian state media.

His latest message reiterates Tehran’s position that Iran’s military capabilities have strengthened despite the pressure of the conflict, while also coming at a sensitive point in diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.