U.S. President Donald Trump declared this week that America achieved "swift, decisive, overwhelming victories" in its conflict with Iran, despite Tehran’s warnings of retaliatory measures. The remarks, made during a primetime address on April 2, came as Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reaffirmed plans to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Khamenei’s office released excerpts of his first public statement since hostilities intensified, emphasizing that shutting the strait was a "legitimate countermeasure" to U.S. actions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately urged American citizens in an open letter to resist "war propaganda," asserting that Iran harbors no hostility toward ordinary people. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Khamenei remains in good health but has postponed public engagements due to security concerns.
The escalating rhetoric has raised alarms among global markets, with oil prices surging amid fears of prolonged disruptions to Middle Eastern trade routes. Analysts warn that further instability could impact Asia’s energy-dependent economies, particularly Japan and South Korea, which rely heavily on Hormuz-bound shipments.
