On Monday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei declared that U.S. forces would soon be expelled from the Arabian Sea, claiming Iran’s armed forces have pushed back enemy presence from southern waters.
That warning fell on the anniversary of Hezbollah leader Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and the Sacred Defense Week, and follows Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that Washington rejected.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Trump rebuffed the proposal because Iran demanded sanctions relief and access to frozen assets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disputed Waltz’s account, saying the U.S. ambassador had not seen the proposal, but confirmed Tehran remains open to diplomacy while being prepared for renewed hostilities.
Khamenei called for unity across Iranian society, urging all sectors to defend the country’s rightful positions in the face of external aggression.
Iran will convene a security council meeting next week to decide on further action, while Washington is expected to press allies for a coordinated diplomatic package.