Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Demands Gulf Unity Amid Ongoing Strait of Hormuz Standoff

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has called on regional leaders to identify their true adversary and unite against it, maintaining Tehran's firm stance over the vital Strait of Hormuz even as regional mediators step up diplomatic efforts. In a published message marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, Khamenei urged the rulers of Islamic nations in West Asia and the Gulf to recognize and confront the common threat. This marks his first public message since the February 28 US-Israeli attacks that resulted in the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The ongoing crisis centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route responsible for handling approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments prior to the conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Tehran previously established an understanding with Oman regarding a temporary shipping route, though its execution hinges on the United States honoring commitments outlined in a lapsed memorandum of understanding from mid-June. Gharibabadi stressed that the strait remains closed, requiring any vessel to coordinate directly with Iran for passage.

Amid these tensions, diplomatic channels have actively engaged. Qatar and Pakistan have ramped up mediation efforts, with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani traveling to Tehran to discuss de-escalation and the reopening of shipping lanes. Meanwhile, transit metrics from the Reuters news agency and Kpler data indicate that vessel traffic through the waterway remains significantly depressed, while the International Maritime Organization reported that up to 400 ships and roughly 6,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf.

This diplomatic maneuvering coincides with severe economic pressure on Iran, where annual inflation climbed to 66 percent last month, and President Masoud Pezeshkian reported a nearly 35 percent drop in imports and exports due to US sanctions and the naval blockade. Washington has further expanded its sanctions by targeting Iran-linked entities and restricting transactions for Egypt’s Banque Misr bank in the United Arab Emirates. Despite these mounting economic hardships, Tehran remains defiant on the Strait of Hormuz issue, with President Masoud Pezeshkian advocating for the revival of the June interim agreement with Washington to resolve the ongoing crisis.