Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected proposals to ease tensions or pursue a ceasefire with the United States, according to a senior Iranian official. Mediation efforts delivered by two intermediary countries were dismissed, with Khamenei reportedly taking a hardline stance during his first foreign policy session.

The official said Khamenei insisted that it was not the right time for peace and called for revenge against the United States and Israel. He reportedly stated that both countries must be brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation before any consideration of peace.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed after allies declined a request from President Donald Trump to help reopen the strategic waterway, raising global energy prices and concerns about inflation. At the same time, Israel said it had killed senior Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in strikes on Tehran, though Iranian authorities have not immediately confirmed the deaths.