Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a stern warning to the United States, declaring that Americans have no place in the Persian Gulf except beneath its waters. Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been absent from public view since succeeding his late father, asserted that Tehran’s new control over the Strait of Hormuz would foster peace, progress, and economic advantages for all nations. A top military advisor to Khamenei had earlier stated that Iran would not tolerate any extension of the U.S. naval blockade, vowing to put an end to American interference in the region. Khamenei emphasized that Iran, along with regional countries, will safeguard their shared interests while making it clear that foreign malevolent forces have no future presence in the area. In a social media post, Khamenei hinted at a transformative era for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Despite U.S. pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, the Supreme Leader affirmed that these capabilities are crucial national assets that Iran will vigorously protect. The statement, broadcast on Iranian state television, follows speculation about Khamenei’s possible injuries during a U.S.-Israeli attack that claimed the lives of his father and other Iranian officials at the onset of the conflict on February 28.