Mojtaba Khamenei Vows To Keep Strait of Hormuz Blocked
Politics Updated: 13 March 2026 08:06 EAT
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, has vowed that the country will continue blocking the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a key pressure tactic against Tehran’s adversaries.
In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, the leader said the continued closure of the waterway would remain part of Iran’s strategy in confronting foreign pressure and regional threats.
The message marked the first major public declaration attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei since he assumed the country’s top leadership position following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
According to the televised statement, Iran views control over the narrow maritime corridor as a powerful geopolitical tool capable of influencing global energy markets and pressuring rival states.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serving as a passage for a significant portion of the world’s petroleum exports.
Any disruption to shipping through the waterway could have far-reaching consequences for global energy supplies and international trade.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that escalating military or economic pressure against the country could prompt further action in the strategic corridor.
In the statement, Mojtaba Khamenei signaled that Tehran would not abandon the tactic, framing it as a necessary measure to defend Iran’s interests and sovereignty.
The declaration comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Observers say the remarks could intensify concerns among global powers and energy markets, given the central role the waterway plays in the movement of oil from Gulf producers to the rest of the world.
Tags: Article Edit Iran Iran Nuclear Deal Politics Signs Media Kenya Limited Usa World War Three
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD