Iran’s New Supreme Leader Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared Thursday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain effectively closed, calling it a “tool of pressure” amid escalating regional tensions and unprecedented turmoil in global energy markets.

In his first public message since assuming the country’s highest office, Khamenei said Iran would continue restricting access to the vital waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. The statement was read on Iranian state television. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment.

He also warned that neighboring countries hosting United States military bases could face consequences, accusing Washington of using the region as a staging ground against Iran.

The closure threat has sent shockwaves through global markets. The International Energy Agency warned this week that the world is experiencing the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.” More than 15 million barrels per day have reportedly been taken offline amid the widening conflict.

Oil prices have surged as Iran steps up attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait. While two regional pipelines bypass Hormuz, analysts say they can only offset a fraction of the roughly 20 million barrels per day that normally move through the channel.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, linking oil fields near the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, has spare capacity but faces logistical bottlenecks. A separate United Arab Emirates pipeline from Habshan to Fujairah has also come under attack, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.

In Washington, President Donald Trump downplayed rising fuel prices, arguing that high energy costs benefit US producers. However, his energy secretary acknowledged that the US Navy is not yet prepared to escort commercial vessels safely through the strait.

Meanwhile, the head of US European Command told lawmakers that the United States is “responding robustly” to any country aiding Iran in targeting American forces. US officials have accused Russia of providing Tehran with intelligence on the locations of US troops and assisting with advanced drone tactics aimed at American and Gulf nation targets.