As diplomacy limps forward, Iran is sharpening its most powerful lever. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued statements which clearly hinted at a shift from mere control to a more assertive and calculated phase in management of Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement read out on state television, Mojtaba said Iran would move into a “new phase” in handling the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
“Iran will take management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase,” he said, indicating that Tehran’s approach could become more structured — and potentially more restrictive — in the coming days. The strait has already faced major disruptions since the conflict in the Middle East escalated.
IRAN IS DEFINITE VICTOR OF WAR, MOJTABA KHAMENEI SAYS
“Iran is not seeking war but will not forfeit its rights and considers all resistance fronts as a unified entity,” the statement from Khamenei added, repeating that Tehran is the definite victor of the war.
Mojtaba made it clear that retaliation remains central to Iran’s position, linking it directly to recent losses. “Iran is resolute in taking revenge for its late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and its martyrs,” he said, underlining that Tehran views the conflict in both strategic and symbolic terms. The comments came as he marked 40 days since his killing of Ali Khamenei, calling it a serious crime committed by the enemies of Iran and Islam, according to an official statement.
He also announced that Iran is watching regional responses closely before deciding its next steps. “Iran is still awaiting an appropriate reaction from its southern neighbours so that it can ‘show you our brotherhood’,” he said, hinting at both expectations and warning directed at neighbouring states.
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is now in place after weeks of intense fighting, brokered by Pakistan in a last-minute diplomatic push to halt escalation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, the situation on the ground remains tense, with major disagreements still unresolved.
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