Mojtaba Khamenei: “The Arabian Sea Will Soon Be Cleansed of the Enemy’s Presence”

Iranian media outlets published a written message this evening (Monday) on behalf of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. In the statement, Khamenei wrote: “Some see us as the world’s fourth superpower. Today, enemy forces do not dare venture beyond the Arabian Sea. Soon will come the day when the Arabian Sea is cleansed of their presence. Our people are filling the squares and streets across the country with their responsible presence.”

At the same time, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet this evening in New York with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, and separately with the American side. This is part of a new effort to bring the war to an end.

Reuters added that “the talks are expected to focus on a revised version of a proposal for a seven-day plan that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The Iranian plan includes ending all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, unfreezing Iranian assets worth billions of dollars, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, and ending the American blockade of Iran’s ports.

Afterward, Tehran will allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, and the two sides will also resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had rejected the Iranian proposal, claiming that Tehran wants a quick deal because of the heavy economic pressure being placed on it. However, Trump said yesterday that he expects negotiations to continue in additional talks during the week.