Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said the United States will eventually be forced to leave the Middle East after suffering what he described as “painful blows”.
Khamenei made the statement on Monday in a written message carried by Iranian state television.
He said the US and its allies had faced attacks from Iranian fighters and forces guarding the Strait of Hormuz.
“Today, having suffered painful blows at the hands of valiant fighters and the guardians of the Strait of Hormuz, they do not venture beyond the Arabian Sea,” Khamenei said.
He added that the Arabian Sea would soon “rid itself” of the presence of US forces.
Khamenei has not been seen in public since the start of the Middle East war in late February.
His comments came as efforts to revive talks aimed at ending the conflict continue.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global shipping route and carries a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
Tensions between Iran and the United States over control of the waterway have increased since the conflict began.
Tehran imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after the war started, while Washington responded with a blockade of Iranian ports.
DDM will continue to monitor developments and bring you updates.
