Iran's Supreme Leader Says Arabian Sea Will Soon Be Cleared of Enemy Forces

A rare statement attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that enemy forces will soon be pushed out of the Arabian Sea, reflecting what the wire described as the country's growing impatience.

The statement, read by a state television anchor on Monday, said the two seas south of Iran were once waters where enemy forces moved freely. It credited "brave fighters and guardians of the Strait of Hormuz" with delivering "painful blows" that have kept those forces from advancing beyond the Arabian Sea, adding that whenever they have taken the risk, they have suffered harm. "Before long, the Arabian Sea, too, will be rid of them," the statement said.

Khamenei, who holds the final say on all state matters, said Iranians are insisting on maintaining their rightful positions, including preserving the Strait of Hormuz. The statement also spoke of widespread readiness across the country, saying people of diverse ethnic groups are declaring their willingness in various ways, particularly to take up arms. It noted that while the bravery of the land was once known through its men, women now surpass men in some arenas of courageous participation.

According to the statement, the enemy once tried continually to weaken the system's social base, but all sections of society now insist on holding their ground despite clear differences.

The remarks come amid a prolonged standoff in which both Washington and Tehran have been under economic strain. The United States has faced high oil prices as Iran attacks ships in the strait, while Tehran has been squeezed by a naval blockade and a growing number of U.S. sanctions that restrict its oil sales. Brent crude, the international benchmark, is above $108.

For months, the two sides have sought to outlast each other, while regional countries have absorbed missile and drone attacks as Tehran says it is targeting U.S. military assets in the region.