Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that enemy forces do not dare enter the Gulf and that the Arabian Sea would soon be cleared of enemies.

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. He further claimed that the Arabian Sea would soon be cleared of those he termed "enemies."

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.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that Tehran retains control of the Strait of Hormuz, citing a $50 oil price premium since the war began to refute US claims. He characterized Washington's stance as a "narrative-laundromat," arguing that market prices contradict assertions that Iran does not control the strategic waterway.

Market Pricing vs US Narrative

In a post on X on Sunday, Ghalibaf stated that the "US gaslighting bureau" claims Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz (SOH), yet the market charges a significant premium. He noted customers are paying $35 over pre-invasion levels and $50 using dated or actual prices. "Either the market’s dumb or the US narrative-laundromat is faking it," Ghalibaf said, referring to the situation as a "free-dollar vending machine in Hormuz for believers."

This follows his earlier warning that the United States cannot pressure Iran through the Strait without facing blowback. Ghalibaf previously mocked the US by sharing a meme depicting a closet with falling plates, labeling it "Schrödinger’s Empire." He quoted HFI Research referencing JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) analysts’ inability to model oil amid disruptions, stating, "This endgame cannot be modeled. It will be opened, and Iran’s hand is already on the lever."

Diplomatic Stalemate and Sanctions

The comments coincide with President Donald Trump rejecting a proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated Tehran wanted to rush a peace deal because it was "losing so badly," following a series of US sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed these restrictions, part of Operation Economic Outcast, resulted in an 80%-90% reduction in external Iranian flights.

Despite the tension, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed openness to negotiations at the United Nations General Assembly. Iran had proposed reopening the Strait within seven days as part of a broader agreement, provided the US returns to terms agreed in a June Memorandum of Understanding.

Regional Security Incidents

Tensions remain high with recent security incidents reported in the region. On September 23, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported a vessel struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in two casualties. Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it had struck and detained a Togo-flagged tanker named Trend in the same waterway.

Last week, Ghalibaf warned that Tehran would return the US to the 1970s with high fuel costs and shortages, referencing historical gas crises fueled by the 1973 war and the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Reports indicated the Trump administration was in "deciding mode" regarding further action against Tehran, with Trump set to meet Gulf state leaders to discuss post-conflict scenarios.