Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a statement on Thursday, declaring Tehran will keep command over the Strait of Hormuz and will set up new legal frameworks for its use. He also pledged to preserve the country’s nuclear capabilities. The message surfaced on Iran’s National Day of the Persian Gulf, underscoring its stance.

Khamenei’s proclamation follows a brief pause in the U.S.–Israeli‑Iran war, which ended with a cease‑fire last month. The statement also echoes Tehran’s refusal to accept U.S. pressure to limit access to the strait, a choke point that carries about 20 % of global oil traffic. Energy prices have spiked as a result in recent weeks daily.

The statement also lists Iran’s nuclear and missile programs among its “national assets,” echoing the regime’s long‑term defense agenda. While the U.S. Push for a toll‑based reopening of the strait has been rejected, Gulf neighbors—including Oman—have voiced concerns that any fee could destabilize shipping lanes. Tehran’s message signals a hard‑line to the international posture.

The declaration comes as the Iranian rial has plunged to record lows against the dollar, further weakening the economy already battered by sanctions. Investors now face heightened uncertainty over oil supply routes and regional stability. The regime’s firm stance on the strait and nuclear programs may prompt a recalibration of U.S. sanctions strategy in the.