A message allegedly from the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei states that Iran’s navy is “prepared to make the enemies experience the harshness of fresh defeats.”
Khamenei, who has not appeared in public or shared any video messages since becoming Iran’s Supreme Leader six weeks ago, did not mention the recent uncertainty regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz in his written statement.
Rather, it commended Iran’s military for “bravely protecting the land, waters, and the banner that is rightfully theirs.”
Just a few statements have been ascribed to Khamenei. This event commemorated Army Day, which this year aligned with the birthday of his deceased father, Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes at the war’s outset.
Iranian gunboats fired on tanker, shipping body says
On Saturday, gunboats from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards opened fire on a tanker navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, as stated in a notice from the UK Maritime Traffic Organization (UKMTO).
The UKMTO stated that it obtained a direct alert from the tanker’s captain, who informed that he was “confronted by 2 IRGC gun boats,” approximately 20 nautical miles (30 kms) off the coast of Oman.
The captain stated that no radio alert had been issued prior to the ship – whose identity UKMTO did not reveal – being attacked.
“UKMTO reported that the tanker and crew are safe.”
The event occurred as Iran reinstated severe restrictions on shipping attempting to pass through the Strait due to US President Donald Trump stating Friday that a blockade on vessels utilizing Iranian ports would persist.
“The condition of the Strait of Hormuz will remain unchanged as long as vessels traveling from Iran to Iran continue to face threats,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) navy posted on X Saturday.
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