‘Ready to make enemies taste bitterness of new defeats’: Mojtaba Khamenei‘s chilling threat after Hormuz closure

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues a stark warning of “new bitter defeats” for enemies as Tehran reimposes restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with the United States over naval control and nuclear negotiations.

Written by Shaurya Agarwal

April 18, 2026 17:24 IST

Amid rising Middle East tensions, Iran has reinstated its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with Mojtaba Khamenei asserting military readiness and linking reopening of the critical waterway to US action on sanctions and navigation freedom.

Hours after Iran reimposed closure of Strait of Hormuz, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a defiant statement declaring that Iran’s navy is prepared to inflict ‘new bitter defeats’ on its enemies.

The message, which appeared on state-affiliated channels, comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and reports of naval confrontations in the Strait.

Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening Hormuz on Saturday and reimposed restrictions on the critical waterway after the US said the move would not end its blockade.

Confirming the blockade of Hormuz, Iran’s joint military command said on Saturday that its “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state …under strict management and control of the armed forces.”

It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.

While some external reports have claimed the Iranian Navy was significantly degraded earlier in the conflict, current Iranian leadership continues to assert that their forces are “fully prepared” for retaliation under the guidance of the new Supreme Leader.

Nuclear context

Despite issuing several high-profile written and audio messages, Mojtaba Khamenei has notably not made a public appearance since his appointment, leading to widespread

This reversal from Tehran’s leadership came just 24 hours after US President Donald Trump said the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

When will Hormuz re-open?

As per reports carried by Iranian media, Tehran has insisted that it will continue with the closure of Hormuz till the United States restores complete freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to Iran.

“Until the US restores the complete freedom of navigation for vessels from an Iranian origin to a destination, and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state,” Israeli officials maintained following the closure of Hormuz.

This article was first uploaded on April eighteen, twenty twenty-six, at twenty-four minutes past five in the evening.