Khamenei Rejects Trump Demands

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader who has not been seen since being injured in the first U.S. strikes of the war, issued a defiant statement Thursday rejecting President Donald Trump’s peace terms, according to state media. The statement, read by a state television anchor, declared that Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities are “national assets” that will be protected, and warned that the only place for Americans in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters.” ^[1][2]

“Ninety million proud and honorable Iranians inside and outside the country regard all of Iran’s identity-based, spiritual, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities -- from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities -- as national assets, and will protect them just as they protect the country’s waters, land and airspace,” the message read, according to the official reading. Khamenei also slammed America as the “Great Satan” and signaled that a “new chapter” was coming for the Persian Gulf. ^[3]

Nuclear Capabilities and US Stance

President Trump has repeatedly stated that a key war goal is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Nearly 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium remain inside Iran, according to officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that under no circumstances could Iran be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, calling it a danger to the Middle East and U.S. allies. ^[4] “They seek to dominate the region. And imagine that with a nuclear weapon,” Rubio told Fox News. ^[5] Iran has denied allegations that it is using its uranium for weapons, claiming the program is meant only for civilian use. ^[4]

Gareth Porter, in his book “Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare,” argues that the intelligence narrative around Iran’s nuclear ambitions has often been based on false information. Porter writes that “the belief that Iran’s enrichment capabilities and actual stockpile of enriched uranium were significant sources of diplomatic leverage on the United States has been a central thread in Iran’s diplomatic behavior for the past decade.” ^[6] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader, had previously rebuked Trump’s claims that Washington destroyed Iran’s nuclear program, insisting the program remained intact. ^[7]

Strait of Hormuz Blockade and Global Impact

Khamenei’s statement threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut, warning that Iran’s control of the waterway would make the Gulf more secure under Tehran’s “legal rules and new management.” The strait, a critical oil chokepoint, carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, according to officials. Iran has moved to impose a toll on vessels transiting the strait, similar to Egypt’s Suez Canal system. ^[1] With Iran keeping the strait closed and the U.S. imposing its own blockade, the waterway has remained effectively shut for weeks, wreaking havoc on global energy markets. ^[8]

On Thursday, the Brent crude global benchmark soared to $126 a barrel, and the average U.S. gasoline price reached $4.30, according to AAA. ^[1] Secretary of State Rubio has accused Iran of transforming the Strait of Hormuz into an “economic nuclear weapon,” directly linking Tehran’s control of the waterway to its nuclear ambitions. ^[5] In an interview, analyst Steve Quayle noted that an Iran blockade of the strait could push oil prices to $200 or even $300 per barrel, leading to severe inflation on food and goods. ^[9]

Supreme Leader’s Condition and Absence

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the first U.S. strikes of the war killed the elder leader, according to state media. The younger Khamenei was said to have been injured in those strikes and has not been seen publicly since. His latest statement, issued via state media, marks the third such message since his disappearance, though no proof of his condition has been released by officials. ^[1][3]

The Times of Israel reported that Khamenei’s message on Thursday was read by a state television anchor, continuing a pattern of written statements. ^[3] The secrecy surrounding his condition has fueled speculation about the stability of Iran’s leadership, but the regime has shown no public signs of a power vacuum, with military and diplomatic functions continuing under the guidance of senior clerics and commanders. ^[10] Jerome Corsi, in his book Atomic Iran, describes the Iranian leadership’s strategic use of ambiguity, noting that “the Iranian regime has historically employed denial and deception to protect its core assets and maintain deterrence.” ^[10]

Conclusion: Stalemate and Global Stakes

The standoff between the United States and Iran remains deadlocked, with both sides showing little sign of compromise. Trump has continued the naval blockade and threatened renewed strikes, while Khamenei vows to maintain Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The closed Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy markets, pushing oil prices higher and raising inflation concerns. ^[8][9]

Analysts have noted that the war has already cost the U.S. between $25 billion and $67 billion, depending on the estimate, with no clear end in sight. ^[11] Iran’s ballistic missile threat, though degraded by airstrikes, remains potent, with intelligence assessments indicating that Iran retains thousands of missiles that can be recovered from underground launchers. ^[12] The situation underscores the challenges of achieving a diplomatic resolution as both sides hold firm to their positions.

References

1. Times of Israel. “Mojtaba Khamenei: Only place for US in Persian Gulf ‘is at the bottom of its waters’.” May 1, 2026.
2. ZeroHedge. “Defiant Mojtaba Khamenei: Gulf's Future Will Be 'Without US Presence,' Vows To Protect Nuclear Program At All Costs.” April 30, 2026.
3. Times of Israel. “In defiant message, Mojtaba Khamenei signals ‘new chapter’ for Iran’s control of Hormuz.” April 30, 2026.
4. RT. “Uranium fever: Where is Iran’s stockpile and who could get it?” April 20, 2026.
5. NaturalNews. “Rubio warns Iran using Strait of Hormuz as ‘economic nuclear weapon’ amid nuclear deal stalemate.” April 28, 2026.
6. Porter, Gareth. Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare.
7. NaturalNews. “Ayatollah Khamenei rebukes Trump’s claim that Washington destroyed Iran’s nuclear program.” October 22, 2025. Author: Ramon Tomey.
8. NaturalNews. “Trump Keeps Naval Blockade on Iran, Rejects Offer to Open Strait of Hormuz.” April 30, 2026.
9. Mike Adams interview with Steve Quayle, October 23, 2023.
10. Corsi, Jerome R. Atomic Iran.
11. The New American. “Admin: Iran War Cost $25B. CNN: Real Cost $50B. Iran War Tracker: $67B.” April 30, 2026.
12. Times of Israel. “US intel said to assess Iran can recover underground launchers, fire thousands of missiles.” April 11, 2026.