Iran's Khamenei predicts US exit from Middle East after 'painful blows' in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei predicted today that the US will ultimately withdraw from the Middle East after suffering "painful blows" in the Strait of Hormuz, without explicitly naming Washington. In a statement released by state television, Khamenei, unseen publicly since his appointment in March, said enemies "no longer venture beyond the Arabian Sea" following strikes by "valiant fighters and guards" in the strait. He added that the Arabian Sea will soon also be "liberated" from their presence. The strait, through which 20% of internationally traded hydrocarbons pass, was closed by Iran after Israeli-US attacks began on February 28, prompting a US blockade of Iranian ports.