Iranian supreme leader says only place Americans belong in the Gulf is 'at the bottom of its waters'

Key Points:

• Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that Americans have no place in the Persian Gulf except "at the bottom of its waters," signaling Iran’s intent to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing U.S. naval blockades and regional tensions.
• The U.S. is considering a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for Gulf allies’ oil exports while continuing to block Iranian ports, aiming to pressure Iran economically without lifting the chokehold on the critical waterway.
• Pakistan is facilitating indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran to ease tensions, with calls for direct communication to resolve sticking points, though Iran insists on protecting its nuclear and missile programs as national assets.
• Iran has intensified its crackdown on dissent, executing a protester linked to January’s nationwide demonstrations, amid reports of multiple executions since the war’s escalation in February, raising concerns from human rights organizations and the U.N.
• Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes, has caused global oil prices to surge, with Brent crude reaching $126 a barrel, exacerbating pressure on the global economy and U.S. policy.