Tehran, Iran – In a speech described by observers as “outlining the contours of the coming era,” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the United States had suffered a “humiliating defeat” in its war and schemes against the Islamic Republic.
In a written message read on state television, Khamenei asserted that Iran is poised to play a more active and decisive role in the security and stability of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world’s most strategic waterway.
Khamenei emphasized that this move is part of the “new administration’s” strategy for the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the Gulf is an integral part of Iran’s and the region’s historical identity.
The statement added that the presence of foreign powers, primarily the United States, has been the fundamental factor and driving force behind the instability and insecurity that has plagued the region for decades.
The message explicitly addressed the military confrontations that took place in the Gulf waters over the past two months, with the Supreme Leader praising the performance of the army and Revolutionary Guard naval forces in repelling what he described as “foreign aggression.”
Khamenei stated, “Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression by the world’s bullies, experience shows that the countries of the region possess sufficient capability to ensure their security without the need for guardianship or the presence of foreign forces.”
The Supreme Leader asserted that the recent American failure opens a “new chapter” in the region’s history, adding that Washington’s defeat in its latest plans signifies the end of the era of direct interventions.
These strong political statements reinforce Iran’s approach of imposing new rules of engagement and navigation laws in the Strait of Hormuz. These laws are based on regional sovereignty and the exclusion of international powers from the maritime security equation.
Analysts believe that the announcement of a “new administration” for the Strait could lead to legal and technical enforcement measures imposed by Tehran on transiting vessels. This presents global trade and energy security with a completely different geopolitical reality than before.
