Iranian television broadcast a new written message from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Jamenei, on Thursday, coinciding with the Persian Gulf Day. "Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression carried out by the tyrants of this world in the region, and after the shameful defeat of the United States, a new chapter opens for the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," declared the leader, who was injured in attacks and has not been seen in public since his appointment.
These words come after the Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is seeking the participation of other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as stated in a document from the State Department. This initiative is separate from its "maximum pressure" policy against Iran.
Today, it is expected that Donald Trump will receive a report from CENTCOM on possible new military operations against Iran, as reported by Axios. One of the options could be a wave of "short and forceful" attacks, likely targeting infrastructure, in hopes of breaking the negotiation deadlock.
Iran's Parliament President promises a Strait of Hormuz "free from the presence" of the US
Iran's Parliament President, Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, stated on Thursday that his country's control over the Strait of Hormuz will ensure a future free from American presence in the area, as reported by Afp.
"Today, managing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will grant itself and give its neighbors a future free from the presence and interference of the United States," Qalibaf said in a comment on X, on the occasion of the Persian Gulf national holiday.
Iran threatens with "long and painful" strikes in response to any US attack
Any US attack on Iran, even if limited, will result in "long and painful" strikes against American positions in the region, as declared by a senior official of the Revolutionary Guard in state media on Thursday, reported by Reuters.
"We have seen what has happened to their bases in the region; we will see the same with their warships," added the Aerospace Force commander, Majid Mousavi, according to the Student News Network agency.
His statements respond to a report from Axios indicating that the US military has prepared a plan for a wave of "brief and forceful" attacks against Iran.
Jamenei: "The new rules will bring progress to the region"
In the message, Jamenei stated that US bases in the region do not have the power to guarantee their security or that of their allied countries in the region.
"Foreigners coming from thousands of kilometers away and committing evil and malicious acts have no place in that location, except at the bottom of their waters," he stated in the message, according to Efe.
For the religious and political leader, the new rules that Tehran is preparing to manage the strait and charge ships for their transit will bring "comfort and progress" to the nations of the region.
The Islamic Republic celebrates the Persian Gulf Day every year on April 30 with various events and speeches by its authorities.
Iran's Supreme Leader claims that the United States has suffered a "shameful defeat"
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Jamenei, stated in a written message broadcast on state television on Thursday, two months after the start of the war, that the United States has suffered a "shameful defeat."
"Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression carried out by the tyrants of this world in the region, and after the shameful defeat of the United States, a new chapter opens for the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," declared the leader, who was injured in attacks and has not been seen in public since his appointment.
"By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and in the service of progress, well-being, and prosperity of its nations," he assured.
German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, urged Iran on Thursday to sit down at the negotiating table with the US and to stop holding the entire region and the world hostage with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, essential for global oil transportation.
"Our message is clear: Iran must come to the negotiating table, it must stop stalling, and it cannot continue to hold the entire region and ultimately the entire world hostage," Merz stated during a visit to the German Army in Munster, in western Germany.
Merz advocated at the informal European summit last week in Cyprus for "increasing sanctions pressure" on Tehran because "if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked, it would have enormous economic consequences for all of us." Merz also reiterated his willingness to participate "militarily" to ensure the freedom of maritime routes once "the necessary conditions are met." Reports Efe.
Investors buy the most expensive oil since the Ukraine war
Oil remains the best barometer to gauge market sentiment about the war in the Middle East, and this Thursday it has heated up again. The US media Axios has exclusively reported that the US military plans to meet this afternoon with President Donald Trump to present new possibilities for its offensive in Iran. This has been interpreted as a clear sign that the conflict is far from being resolved, and as a result, oil traders have rushed to buy futures on its price.
The result of this move will be higher fuel prices before the summer. The market trades spot oil prices, but mainly futures, and the European Brent for June has reached over $127 per barrel in the last hours. These are the highest levels in the last four years amid the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
Two injured as Hezbollah drone hits northern Israel
A Hezbollah drone hit northern Israel on Thursday despite the current ceasefire, causing at least two injuries, as reported by the Israeli Army and emergency services.
"Following the sirens that sounded in the communities of northern Israel, the impact of a drone was identified," the Israeli Army posted on its channels.
According to a statement from the Coastal District Fire and Rescue spokespeople in Israel, the impact occurred near the agricultural town of Shomera, causing a "large-scale fire."
So far, the Fire Department has reported two injuries, although the severity of their condition has not been specified. Reports Efe.
Iran's president says US naval blockade is "doomed to fail"
Iran's President, Masud Pezeshkian, stated that the US naval blockade imposed on its ports will cause disruptions in the Gulf but will fail in its objective.
"Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law (...) and is doomed to fail," Pezeshkian said in a statement reported by Afp.
He added that such measures "will not only fail to enhance regional security but are, in fact, a source of tension and disruption to lasting stability in the Persian Gulf."
The US Central Command in the region (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday in X that it had reached a "significant milestone" by preventing the passage of the 42nd ship attempting to break the blockade. CENTCOM asserted that there are "41 oil tankers with 69 million barrels of oil that the Iranian regime cannot sell." A cargo valued at $6 billion.
US plans a new coalition to ensure maritime traffic in Ormuz
The United States is seeking the participation of other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a document from the State Department obtained by Reuters.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, approved the creation of the "Maritime Freedom Construct" (MFC), as described in the document dated April 28, which outlines it as a joint initiative of the State Department and the Pentagon.
"The MFC represents a critical first step in establishing a post-conflict maritime security architecture for the Middle East. This framework is essential to ensure long-term energy security, protect critical maritime infrastructure, and maintain rights and freedoms of navigation on vital maritime routes," it states.