The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the ongoing conflict ends, according to a statement issued Thursday by Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The message was read by a news anchor on Iranian state television and warned that the vital shipping route—through which a significant share of the world’s oil exports travel—would not reopen while hostilities continue. The declaration immediately heightened concerns among global energy markets and Western governments, as the strait is widely regarded as one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Any prolonged disruption could trigger spikes in global oil prices, threaten shipping routes, and destabilize already tense geopolitical conditions across the Middle East.

In the same statement, Khamenei called on Gulf states to remove American military installations from their territories, arguing that the presence of U.S. forces makes those countries potential targets. His remarks came as Iran continues responding to the U.S. military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. According to regional reports, Iranian forces have launched multiple strikes against targets across the Middle East in retaliation. These attacks have included missile launches and drone strikes aimed at what Iranian officials describe as hostile forces supporting the United States and Israel. The statement itself was delivered without Khamenei appearing publicly, leaving analysts uncertain about his current condition and fueling speculation about his role in directing Iran’s wartime strategy.

Reports about Khamenei’s health have added further intrigue to the developing crisis. Citing an Israeli intelligence official, Trey Yingst told viewers on America’s Newsroom that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during one of the initial strikes connected to Operation Epic Fury. According to Yingst, the official downplayed rumors that Khamenei was seriously wounded, suggesting instead that the injury was relatively minor. Still, the possibility that Iran’s newly elevated leader was hurt early in the conflict has intensified speculation about the internal stability of Iran’s leadership. Some analysts believe that uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s condition could influence how aggressively Iran pursues retaliation against the United States and its allies.

Meanwhile, officials in Washington are exploring measures to blunt the economic impact of a potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that the administration is considering a temporary waiver of the Jones Act to ensure critical supplies continue reaching American ports. The law normally requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to travel on vessels that are built, owned, and operated by Americans. Waiving those restrictions temporarily could allow foreign vessels to transport energy resources and agricultural goods more freely, helping stabilize supply chains. Leavitt explained that the move is being considered as part of a broader strategy to counter Iran’s attempt to disrupt global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports,” Leavitt said. She emphasized that the proposal has not yet been finalized but remains under active review. The goal, officials say, would be to reduce the economic pressure that Iran hopes to create by restricting oil shipments from the Persian Gulf. By allowing more shipping flexibility, the administration believes it could maintain steady supplies of fuel and other critical commodities in the United States even if the strait remains blocked for an extended period.

Speaking about the wider conflict, Donald Trump acknowledged that U.S. authorities are monitoring potential terrorist threats linked to the escalating war with Iran. Trump said intelligence officials have warned about possible sleeper cells inside the United States, including information suggesting a potential drone-based attack in California. He argued that some of these risks may stem from immigration policies under former president Joe Biden, which he criticized as overly permissive. Despite the concerns, Trump praised the military campaign against Iran, saying it is being carried out with unprecedented speed and coordination. At the same time, he noted that investigators are reviewing reports about a law enforcement bulletin warning of a possible Iranian revenge plot involving a drone swarm launched from an offshore vessel near the California coast.

As tensions mount, Iran’s regional allies have also entered the conflict. The militant group Hezbollah reportedly launched around 200 missiles and drones toward Israel overnight in what Israeli media described as a coordinated attack involving both Hezbollah and Iran. The barrage prompted a swift response from the Israel Defense Forces, which carried out heavy airstrikes against Hezbollah strongholds in the suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the assault under the name Operation Eaten Straw, saying it targeted Israeli military sites near Tel Aviv. Experts say the name references a Quranic verse about destroying enemies completely. Analysts warn that the attacks could trigger a major Israeli counteroffensive, raising fears that the conflict could expand further across the Middle East and draw additional regional powers into the fighting.