Mojtaba Khamenei declares navy ready for confrontation with US, Israel Iranian state media publishes latest statement from Supreme Leader

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said that the country’s naval forces are ready to defeat the United States and Israel, according to a statement published by Iranian media.

The message, released on the occasion of the anniversary of the army’s founding, states: “Iran’s naval forces are ready once again to defeat the United States and Israel.”

Mojtaba Khamenei said the Iranian military is capable of simultaneously confronting the armed forces of both countries.

The report also included a historical summary of recent tensions, stating that on February 28, the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran and carried out airstrikes on several cities. It further claims that the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, was killed in those strikes the same day.

According to the narrative, Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli territory and strikes on US military bases in Gulf countries. After weeks of escalating tensions, Iran, the United States, and their allies reached an agreement on a two-week ceasefire on the night of April 8, 2026.

Talks between Iran and the United States held in Islamabad on April 11-12, mediated by Pakistan, ended without results. On April 15, US President Donald Trump announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for navigation, despite an ongoing maritime blockade of Iranian ports, a move described as aimed at maintaining relations with China.

Later, on April 18, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced the closure of the waterway, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement and the continued blockade of Iranian ports by US forces.

By Jeyhun Aghazada