Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a published written message on Thursday (April 30, 2026) that a new chapter for the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz has been taking shape since the Iran war with the United States and Israel broke out on February 28.
Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports would deepen disruptions in the Gulf and would fail to achieve its targets. “Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law... and is doomed to fail,” Mr. Pezeshkian said in a statement.
Battle of wills: Editorial on the U.S. war on Iran
Oil prices soared more than 5% to a fresh four-year high on Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned the U.S. blockade could last months as peace talks remained stalled. Mr. Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should “get smart soon” and capitulate to Washington’s demands for tight controls on its nuclear programme, as a U.S. naval blockade turned the screws on Iran’s economy.
Also read: South Asian power balance shifts toward Pakistan
