Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared on Monday that enemy forces do not dare enter the Gulf and that the Arabian Sea would soon be cleared of enemies. He stated that Tehran’s adversaries would eventually be kicked out of the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.

Khamenei's statement on regional waters

Khamenei made the assertion regarding what he described as "enemy forces," stating that such forces do not dare enter the Gulf. In a post on the social media platform X, he said that the enemies had suffered from "painful blows" by "the valiant [Iranian] fighters" and the "guardians" of the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that because of this, "they dare not advance beyond the Arabian Sea." Khamenei further claimed that "it won’t be long before the Arabian Sea rids itself of their presence too." The remarks reflect the Iranian leadership's position on the presence of foreign military forces in the region's strategic waterways, which include the Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

U.S. Marines sustain injuries in Strait of Hormuz strikes

On Sunday, NBC News reported that eight U.S. Marines had suffered from smoke inhalation and possible head trauma, exhibiting symptoms like concussions and headaches, but did not suffer serious injuries. The report cited comments from three unnamed U.S. officials.

The officials declined to comment on what type of ship the Marines were on but confirmed that they were not on board a U.S. Navy vessel. The attack has not been reported previously. Notably, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had struck two U.S. vessels, as well as eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month. However, the claims were denied by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Diplomatic developments and oil market impact

Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in on President Donald Trump's reported offer for a deal with Iran, saying that Trump's offer for sanctions relief and access to frozen funds echoed former President Barack Obama's Iran Nuclear deal in 2015. On the other hand, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reaffirmed Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying that customers were paying up to $50 in premiums to source oil ever since the war began in February 2026.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures contracts expiring in November rose 0.75% to $93.28 at press time. Brent futures contracts expiring in November were up 0.59% to $98.41 at the time of writing this article. The United States Oil Fund (NYSE: USO) ETF was up 0.05% at $150.08, while the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (NYSE: UCO) ETF gained 0.53% to $53.39.

On the fuel costs front, gas prices in the U.S. have surged in the past weeks. Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that the national average price of gas fell slightly to $4.4768/gallon on Monday. Meanwhile, diesel prices also declined to $6.45311/gallon on Monday.

Iran's Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee stated that the Strait of Hormuz is now at the center of negotiations, displacing the nuclear issue as the primary focus. The official declared that before any negotiations can occur, the United States must accept Iran's conditions.

This development follows earlier warnings from Iran Security Council Secretary Rezaei, who cautioned that a new US escalation could open a second military front at Bab El-Mandeb alongside the Strait of Hormuz. The confirmation of the Strait of Hormuz closure underscores the high stakes involved in recent US-Iran interactions. By explicitly naming Bab El-Mandeb in previous warnings, officials highlighted strategic maritime chokepoints critical for global trade and naval security. The current stance eliminates the possibility of immediate de-escalation through dialogue.

Strategic implications

The shift in diplomatic framing signals a hardening stance in Tehran's strategic posture. The combination of physical blockade via Hormuz closure and diplomatic rigidity presents a complex challenge for international stakeholders. The threat to extend operations to Bab El-Mandeb suggests a shift in Iran's defensive posture. Such a move would impact international shipping lanes and draw broader global attention to Middle East tensions.

What the numbers show

The data indicates a significant pivot in Iran's negotiation strategy. Previously, the narrative centered on nuclear concessions and talks. The new statement explicitly repositions the Strait of Hormuz as the central focus, suggesting that maritime control is now the primary leverage point rather than nuclear capabilities. This reframing complicates traditional diplomatic channels that focused on non-proliferation treaties.