Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Monday that foreign “enemy” forces would soon be driven out of the Arabian Sea, as Tehran continued its confrontation with the United States.
Khamenei said Iranian forces had already pushed enemy forces from waters off southern Iran towards the Arabian Sea.
“The enemy forces do not dare enter the Persian Gulf,” he said, according to a statement published on his Telegram channel.
He added that the Arabian Sea would also soon be cleared of those forces.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over US military operations in the region and Iran’s efforts to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has also warned neighbouring countries against allowing their territory or military facilities to be used by the United States during the conflict.
Khamenei has previously called for the removal of US military bases from countries in the region, while Iranian officials have warned that the conflict could spread beyond the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Khamenei, said last week that fighting could extend into the Indian Ocean if the United States launched further attacks.
The Indian Ocean has become increasingly significant in the confrontation because of its proximity to key maritime routes and the US-British military facility at Diego Garcia.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of contention between Iran and the United States. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and carries a significant share of global oil shipments.
Iran has sought to restrict shipping through the strait during the conflict, while Washington has demanded unrestricted passage for international vessels.
Khamenei did not identify the foreign forces he was referring to or provide details of the operation he said had pushed them towards the Arabian Sea.
His remarks come as the confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel continues to raise concerns over a wider regional conflict.
