Khamenei warns U.S. over carriers
Iran leader says U.S. warships can be sunk
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei responded to repeated US military threats by warning that weapons capable of sinking American aircraft carriers are “more dangerous” than the warships themselves, saying even the world’s strongest military can be struck hard enough to be disabled.
Khamenei framed US threats and declarations—citing President Donald Trump’s remarks about deploying carriers and failing to eliminate the Islamic Republic over 47 years—as proof Washington seeks to dominate Iran and to predetermine outcomes of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. Khamenei rejected that approach as “wrong and foolish,” insisting Iranians will not submit to foreign pressure and quoting Imam Hussein to underscore refusal to pledge allegiance to corrupt leaders.
The remarks came amid a visible US military buildup in the region—officials announced additional carrier presence, thousands of troops, fighter aircraft and guided-missile destroyers—meant, US officials say, to provide leverage in indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear activities.
Meanwhile Iranian state media broadcast footage of Revolutionary Guards drills in and around the Strait of Hormuz, hours after talks began, as semi-official Fars said parts of the waterway would close "for a few hours" for security precautions.
The video showed aerials of cargo ships transiting the strait, IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri speaking at sea, and patrol craft flying Guards flags. Helicopter-borne troops fast-roped onto a large vessel, while separate sequences showed missile launches and boats being struck.
Tehran has in the past threatened to shut down the strait to commercial shipping if it is attacked, a move that would choke off a fifth of global oil flows and drive up crude prices.
