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3. Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei Claims Gulf Future Requires U.S. Exit

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement on Thursday asserting that the future of the Gulf would be “bright” only in the absence of the United States. 

He said Iran would take responsibility for securing the Gulf region and “eliminating enemy violations” of the strategic maritime corridor, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint.

Iran’s Khamenei Claims Gulf Future Requires U.S. ExitA significant portion of the message focused on U.S. military presence in the region, arguing that American bases across Gulf states are a primary source of instability rather than security. It claimed that recent confrontations and military build-ups have exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. deployments and questioned their ability to protect regional allies.

The statement accused Western powers, including the United States, of historical interference in the region, describing repeated military and political interventions as sources of instability. It referenced past colonial presence and more recent U.S. military deployments as part of what it called a broader pattern of external “hegemony” in Gulf affairs.

The comments come amid escalating confrontation between Iran and the United States over maritime security in the Gulf, where tensions have repeatedly raised concerns over global oil flows and potential disruption to energy supplies. Recent developments have included increased military deployments, disruptions to shipping lanes, and rising oil market volatility.