Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei urges regional rulers to recognize their “real enemy” while Tehran upholds restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz amid stalled negotiations.
Published On 30 Aug 2026
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has called on Gulf leaders to identify and confront their “real enemy,” as Tehran maintains its firm position on the Strait of Hormuz while regional mediators work to revive diplomatic efforts.
“My emphatic and repeated recommendation to the rulers of Islamic countries, especially the countries of West Asia and the Gulf, is to identify your real enemy, understand his plan and confront it,” Khamenei stated in a message released on Sunday to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Khamenei has not made a public appearance since the US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that resulted in the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The message arrives against the backdrop of an unresolved standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed prior to the conflict.
On Saturday, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi indicated that Iran had reached an understanding with Oman regarding a temporary maritime route, though its implementation would hinge on the United States meeting its obligations under the memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June, which has since expired.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed,” Gharibabadi declared, noting that any vessel wishing to transit would need to coordinate with Iran.
“Implementing this understanding requires the other side, particularly the US, to fulfil its commitments. Whenever these commitments are implemented, Iran will also take its measures,” he added.
Iran and Oman have been engaged in discussions about a temporary joint shipping corridor and mine clearance, while Qatar and Pakistan have stepped up their mediation efforts. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani traveled to Tehran on Thursday for talks focused on de-escalation and the restoration of shipping through Hormuz.
Recorded transits through the strait remain limited. Reuters, citing Kpler data, reported that seven commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a decline from 17 the previous day and well below the ten-day average of 15.
The International Maritime Organization announced on Friday that as many as 400 ships carrying approximately 6,000 seafarers have been stranded in the Gulf since the US-Israeli war on Iran commenced.
“Renewed political will and cooperation is needed,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez remarked, urging practical steps to restore freedom of navigation through the strait.
The diplomatic efforts coincide with growing economic strain on Tehran. Iran’s annual inflation climbed to 66 percent last month, and President Masoud Pezeshkian disclosed that imports and exports had dropped by nearly 35 percent due to US sanctions and the naval blockade.
Washington has simultaneously broadened its sanctions regime, targeting Iran-linked individuals and entities and moving to limit dollar transactions at the UAE branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr over alleged connections to Tehran.
Despite these mounting pressures, Tehran has shown no willingness to compromise on Hormuz. Pezeshkian has instead advocated for reviving the June interim agreement with Washington.
“We can solve our problems and gain our privileges with the memorandum of understanding,” he stated.
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