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No place in Gulf, except...: Iran’s Khamenei slams ‘Great Satan’ US, rejects nuclear curbs
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei described the United States as the 'Great Satan' and said Iran would not compromise on its nuclear and missile programmes. In a written statement read on state television, he asserted that Americans have 'no place' in the Persian Gulf and underscored Iran’s non-negotiable national assets and regional posture.
Why It Matters
The remarks heighten tensions between Iran and the United States amid ongoing disputes over sanctions, nuclear negotiations, and maritime control of the Strait of Hormuz, with potential implications for Gulf security and global oil markets.
Timeline
1 Event
Khamenei's written statement read on state television: Iran's non-negotiable strategic programmes and opposition to Western presence in the Persian Gulf
April 29, 2026
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a written statement read on state television in which he said Iran's strategic programmes, including its nuclear and missile capabilities, remain non-negotiable and central to national sovereignty. He asserted that Americans have no place in the Persian Gulf region, describing foreigners who come from afar to act with greed and malice as having 'no place' there except at the bottom of its waters. He framed Iran's technological and military capacities as national assets to be protected by the population, spanning domains from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities.