Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that the country will safeguard its nuclear and missile capabilities as vital national assets, despite efforts by United States President Donald Trump to negotiate limits on those programs. In a written statement broadcast on state television, Khamenei said that Iran's scientific and military advancements are part of the nation's identity and will be defended like its territorial waters and airspace.

Khamenei, who assumed leadership after a February airstrike killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also delivered sharp criticism of the United States presence in the Arabian Gulf. He said foreign forces have no place in the region and asserted that its future should be free of American involvement, emphasizing shared regional interests among neighboring countries.

His remarks come as Washington advances plans for an international maritime coalition to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising oil prices and fears of supply disruptions. According to a State Department communication, the proposed Maritime Freedom Construct would help secure navigation and lay the groundwork for a post-conflict maritime security framework, though several European nations have indicated they would only participate after hostilities end.