President Pezeshkian And Iranian Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan' Threaten Closure Of Strait Of Hormuz; Senior Regime Official Ali Larijani, Associate Of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, Threatens Attacks O
In light of the significant gaps emerging in the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations – Iran insists on the right to enrich uranium on its territory however it wishes, while the U.S. wants to prohibit it from doing so in any way, shape, or form – senior Iranian officials are threatening the U.S. and Western interests.
In a speech at the Tehran Dialogue Forum on May 18, 2025, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to block the passage of oil from the Persian Gulf to the West, in response to the U.S., which, he said, seeks to steal other countries' resources and to foment conflict among the Islamic nations. The next day, on its front page, the regime mouthpiece Kayhan clarified Pezeshkian's statements , saying that he had "threatened the West with closure of the Strait of Hormuz" (see Appendix for additional MEMRI reports on senior Iranian officials' threats to close the Strait of Hormuz).
Senior regime official Mohammad Javad Larijani, an associate of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, threatened attacks on Washington, D.C., and on American bases anywhere from which an attack on Iran originates. He was speaking on the Iranian TV program Special Discussion on May 19, 2025.
The following are the threats against the U.S. by Pezeshkian, Kayhan, and Larijani:
Iranian Regime Mouthpiece Kayhan, May 19, 2025: "[President] Pezeshkian Threatened The West With Closure Of The Strait Of Hormuz"
The Kayhan daily, mouthpiece of the Iranian regime, has in recent years called for acting harshly with the West and the U.S. and for closing the international Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers heading to the West, with the aim of pressuring it, particularly when Iran's demands of the West are not being met as it wishes. The newspaper's headline in its May 19, 2025 edition explained what President Pezeshkian had meant by his statement at the Tehran Dialogue Forum the previous day.
Under the headline "President Pezeshkian Threatens The West With Closure Of The Strait Of Hormuz," Kayhan quoted Pezeshkian as saying: "At this time, if energy resources do not flow from the Persian Gulf to there [i.e. the West], they will be paralyzed." The newspaper went on to explain that Pezeshkian had harshly criticized U.S. policy and its desire to incite conflict among the countries in the region in order to steal their wealth, and that "America seeks to cause us to fight each other." Kayhan added that the U.S. "presents us [Iran] as a threat in order to sell weapons to others" – this against the backdrop of the U.S. weapons agreement with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states the previous week – "that is, on the one hand, it takes our resources, while on the other it takes everything that remains by selling weapons so that there will be nothing left in the region and we will fight each other in a war that it started."[1]
Iranian President Pezeshkian, May 18, 2025: "At This Time, If Energy Resources Do Not Flow From The Persian Gulf To There [i.e. The West], They Will Be Paralyzed"
Asked at the May 18, 2025 Tehran Dialogue Forum "why President Trump is spreading rumors about the region while he is in it," President Pezeshkian replied: "The countries of the region do not accept the fact that America is stealing their resources, and America says this as well. I must say what is happening and what is not. Anyone demonstrating against America is starting a war. At this time, if energy resources do not flow from the Persian Gulf to there [i.e. the West], they will be paralyzed. But they are seeking to incite war among the countries of the region. The people of the region are entitled to enjoy prosperity, [but] America is not allowing growth."[2]
President Pezeshkian at the Tehran Dialogue Forum (Source: Tasnim, Iran, May 18, 2025)
Mohammad Javad Larijani, Former Iranian Judiciary Human Rights Council Secretary, May 19, 2025: "If We Are Attacked, We Will Attack Not Only Washington, But American Interests And Bases Everywhere – In The Air, On The Sea, And On Land, Anywhere From Which An Attack On Iran Originates – Will Be A Legitimate Target For Us"
On May 19, 2025, senior Iranian official Mohammad Javad Larijani, an associate of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, former deputy foreign minister, and former Iranian Judiciary Human Rights Council secretary, and current director of the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, said on the Iranian Special Discussion TV show:
"We ask permission from no one in matters concerning our development. The U.S. has no right to even talk about our nuclear industry. This is what we are doing within the framework of the NPT. [President Trump] says he has doubts [about our nuclear program] – who the hell are you to have doubts? We are not responsible for reassuring you...
Senior Iranian regime official Mohammad Javad Larijani (Source: IRIB, May 20, 2025)
"The NPT is an imaginary document, it is a dead document, but because we signed it, we are committed to it... In my opinion, chances are not high that America will use the military option [against Iran], because [if it does] a long war will begin here, and the victor will not be America. This is not to mention the many [U.S. interests in the region that could be attacked]...
"We have already said that if we are attacked, we will attack not only Washington but also American interests and bases everywhere – in the air, on the sea, and on land, anywhere from which an attack on Iran originates – will be a legitimate target for us."[3]
To view this clip of Larijani's statements on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Appendix: MEMRI Reports On Iran's Threat To Close Strait Of Hormuz
Special Dispatch No. 10389, Iranian Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan' Editor Hossein Shariatmadari: 'Iran Has The Right And The Capability To Close The Strait Of Hormuz... If It Sees That Its National Interests Are In Danger'; 'There Is No Reason For Hostile Countries To Be Allowed Through The Strait, Which Is In Our Territorial Waters', December 21, 2022
Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 1452, How Will Iran Prevent The Export Of Oil From The Persian Gulf To World Markets? May 6, 2019
Special Dispatch No. 7577, Iranian Regime Again Threatens To Close Strait Of Hormuz – A Threat It Has Made In The Past But Never Carried Out, July 20, 2018
Special Dispatch No. 8752, Iranian Regime: The Entire Persian Gulf Is Our Sea – 'Mare Nostrum' – And Has Belonged To Iran For Centuries; U.S. Forces Must Leave It, May 19, 2020
Special Dispatch No. 8210, Following Iran's Seizure Of British Oil Tanker, Senior Iranian Officials Again Declare: The Persian Gulf Is Iranian Territory; Iran's Armed Forces Are Responsible For Security In It, In Strait Of Hormuz, Gulf Of Oman, August 2, 2019
Special Dispatch No. 4391, Article On Iranian Website: This Is How We'll Close Strait of Hormuz, December 28, 2011
Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 615, Iran Demonstrates Its Deterrent Strength in Military Maneuvers, June 14, 2010
Special Dispatch No. 2029, Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz If Attacked, August 19, 2008
Inquiry and Analysis No. 615, Iran Demonstrates Its Deterrent Strength in Military Maneuvers, June 14, 2010
Inquiry and Analysis No. 407, Iran's Response to Western Warnings: "First Strike, "Preemptive Attack," "Long-Range Ballistic Missiles," "Asymmetric [Guerilla] Warfare," December 2, 2007.
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At Anti-Israel Protests In Pakistan, Islamic Religious Scholars Call For Jihad Against Israel, Urge Rulers Of Islamic Nations To Use Their Armies To Help Palestinians
In April and May 2025, Pakistan's Islamic religious organizations, especially Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JeIP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), held a series of conferences and mass rallies in several Pakistani towns and cities where Islamic scholars and community leaders expressed support for Hamas and called for jihad against Israel. A national Palestine conference was held on April 10 in Islamabad, while protests and events were also held at Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir as well as in the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, and Quetta, among others. At these events, the religious scholars called for supporting Palestinians and Kashmiris. Islamic scholars address the National Palestine Conference in Islamabad on April 10, 2025 On April 10, a national Palestine conference was held in Islamabad to express solidarity with the Palestinians, where Hamas representative Dr. Naji Zaheer, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President of the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabiya Mufti Taqi Usmani, prominent Islamic scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, and other eminent personalities delivered speeches.[1] According to a report in the Urdu daily Roznama Express: "In the declaration adopted by the national conference, Muslims were called upon to boycott Israel and its supporting countries… According to shari'a, under the principle of 'Al-Aqrab Fal-Aqrab [i.e., jihad becoming obligatory on those on and near the crisis site and its scope expanding gradually to cover wider regions],' jihad has become obligatory on all Muslims."[2] The declaration stated: "Regarding Palestine, no pact prevents participation in this jihad [against Israel]. In the name of Palestine, no armed-struggle against our own governments will be legitimate. The entire region, including Israel, belongs to Palestinians."[3] At the conference, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, the head of Tanzeem Al-Madaris, read out the declaration adopted on the occasion. Dr. Naji Zaheer, the Hamas representative, who was a star speaker at the conference, said: "Palestinians have great hopes from Pakistan. Israel is afraid of Pakistan, otherwise it wants to complete the project of Greater Israel."[4] Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whose organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has led many anti-Israel pretests in Pakistani towns over the past few years, told the gathering: "If Pakistan does not fight for the Palestinians, it is denying its ideology. The [so-called] philosophers of our country ask how the economy will function if relations with Israel are not improved. What is there to fear? Pakistan's position on Israel should be clear. We also want to know the position of the state of Pakistan."[5] Hamas representative Dr. Zuhair Naji, who lives in Pakistan, addresses the conference Calling the gathering "historic" and urging practical jihad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman promoted a hardline approach, inciting violence rather than fostering a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. "Today's gathering is not a traditional gathering; history will not be able to ignore this gathering. The entire nation is united on the issue of Palestine. Practical jihad has become obligatory on the Ummah. Muslims should participate in jihad in any way possible," he added.[6] The JUI-F leader said: "In 1917, when the State of Israel was proposed, only two percent of Jews lived in Palestine. Correct history and do not spread the lie that Palestinian Muslims sold their lands themselves. There is a Jewish conspiracy behind any problem in Pakistan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the establishment of Pakistan should be understood."[7] The state of Pakistan was established as a homeland for Muslims; Maulana Fazlur Rehman's message was that the nuclear-armed Pakistan must support Palestinians practically. One of the leading speakers at the conference was Grand Mufti of Pakistan Taqi Usmani. The religious scholar questioned Muslim governments for not using their armies for jihad, saying: "Peaceful protests are allowed, throwing stones and harming someone's life and property is forbidden. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli bombing continues. The Zionists do not have any faith, any religion, any international agreement or promise. What is the use of the armies of Muslim countries if they do not wage jihad?"[8] "The requirement was that instead of gathering here [in Islamabad], we would have gathered in Gaza. A ceasefire agreement was reached in Palestine; despite the ceasefire agreement, the bombing continues. Israel has no moral values nor the value of international laws. [U.S. President Donald] Trump has now started considering the entire world his property. Despite seeing death, the Palestinians have not backed down from their position," Mufti Usmani said.[9] Mufti Taqi Usmani (left) and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman address the National Conference on Palestine on April 10, 2025. The Grand Mufti accused Israel of implementing a plan for Greater Israel, saying: "Today, preparations are being made to implement the Greater Israel plan. According to the United Nations, no one has human rights except those with fair skin. The [Hamas] brave-hearts in Gaza have created a new history. Will jihad not be obligatory even after seeing more than 55,000 Muslims being slaughtered?"[10] Mufti Taqi Usmani added: "The founder of Pakistan [M.A. Jinnah] had called [Israel] an illegitimate child. Our position will not change under any circumstances, no matter how much power Israel gets. When we do not have any pact with Israel, there is no excuse [for Jihad]. Muslim countries should know that when it has broken agreements, then by what agreement are you bound?"[11] The Islamic religious scholar also said: "The U.S. Secretary of State has said that no matter how many Muslims Israel kills, we will not stop supporting it. After Israel, America has also broken its agreements. We do not say to launch a nuclear attack on anyone. Governments have a thousand ways; they should realize that jihad is our duty."[12] Earlier, on February 5, to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day, several events were held in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir by militant groups and the Pakistani military and government. These events were also attended and addressed by jihadi commanders and Hamas leaders. One of the biggest events was held in the town of Rawalakot in Pakistani Kashmir. 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"The entire event was an effort to build a narrative to equate the Gaza Strip with Jammu and Kashmir," Indian media outlet News 18 reported.[14] "The conference had been organised to spin a common tale of Pakistan and Palestine as well-knit united fronts against Israel and India," the report said.[15] In a video of the Rawalakot event available on the internet, several militant leaders can be seen delivering speeches.[16] One militant leader, speaking Urdu, warns India: "I want to tell [Indian Home Minister] Amit Shah that the mujahideen of Kashmir and Palestine have become united…"[17] Not far from Rawalakot, on the same day in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended another conference to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. Speaking on the occasion, General Asim Munir warned India, saying: "Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in the near future, you may commit atrocities in occupied Kashmir, but this will not go on forever. The decision of Kashmir must be made by the people of Kashmir, not by any occupying force in Kashmir. Three wars have been fought for Kashmir, and if ten more need to be fought, we will fight, Allah willing."[18] He made these remarks at the at the martyrs' memorial in Muzaffarabad. In his speech to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed support for Kashmiris, saying: "Pakistan will continue to offer its unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their right to self-determination."[19] Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir (third from left) attends an event in Muzaffarabad on February 5, 2025, held as part of the Kashmir Solidarity Day commemorations On April 13, just three days later, another public rally on the theme of "Solidarity with Gaza" was organized by JeIP on Shahrah-e-Faisal Road in Karachi. Addressing the protestors, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said: "Israel is committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, while Pakistan's political leadership and the international community remain silent. PML-N, PPP, and PTI must also raise their voices for Gaza and condemn the U.S. and Israel."[20] PML-N refers to Pakistan Muslim League (N) Party of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while PPP stands for Pakistan's People Party led by Bilawal Bhutto, son of President Asif Zardari, and PTI for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman further said: "[Israel] has shredded the United Nations charter. 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Iranian Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan': For The Houthis, It's 'Open Season On American F-35s' That Israel Uses To Strike Yemen
On May 31, 2025, the Iranian regime mouthpiece Kayhan highlighted statements by Mahdi Al-Mashat, the head of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, the executive body of the Ansar Allah movement, i.e. the Houthis, an Iranian proxy like Hizbullah in Lebanon, and Palestinian resistance organizations, including Hamas. Boasting of what it said was the Houthis' operational capability to locate and down advanced American F-35 fighter jets, which Israel uses against Yemen, Al-Mashat had said that "the hit and run era is over" and that now the Houthis have systems that can change the rules of the conflict, which will require the parties involved to reconsider their moves. Presenting the "defeat" of the U.S. by the Houthis, and stating that the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier had retreated from the Red Sea fearing that the F-35s on board would be downed, the Kayhan article stated that Yemen is one of only three countries, along with Russia and China, capable of "putting an end to the undisputed supremacy of the F-35." It added that President Donald Trump had submitted to Houthi pressure, begun to secretly negotiate with the group, and was even refraining from promising to defend Israel. It also said that the U.S. was concealing the downing of its planes, calling it a "technical glitch" and, in cases of successful Houthi strikes, launching a media campaign to obscure this. Kayhan went on to cast the Houthis as the most resolute and dangerous enemy the U.S. faces in the region. The following is a translation of Kayhan's May 31, 2025 article, which was titled "Open Season On F-35s." "Open Season On F-35s" – Kayhan, May 31, 2025 "The statements about Yemen's new air defense system by Mahdi Al-Mashat, head of Yemen's [the Houthis'] Supreme Political Council, are 'very important.' Yesterday [May 30, 2025], Al-Mashat told the [Hizbullah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen] television network that his country had acquired the technology and equipment needed to down American F-35 fighter jets. He added, 'In the coming days, we will make a laughingstock out of the Zionist planes. These statements came in response to the Israeli regime's attacks on Yemeni ports. The Zionist regime must travel over 1,000 kilometers to attack Yemen, and for this it usually uses F-15 and F-35 fighter jets accompanied by a Boeing 707 refueling plane. "Now, the Yemenis are explicitly saying that 'the hit-and-run era is over,' and that from now on, in addition to firing missiles at the occupied territories [Israel] they can also easily locate these fighter jets in the sky and strike them. This is a significant claim, so significant that perhaps some see it as 'the usual roars of war' whose message always arouses doubts on the part of the aggressor and makes him change his calculations. "If [the Houthis] succeed, this claim could change the equations of the war. It is interesting to note that a few days before Mahdi Al-Mashat['s statement], the American magazine National Interest announced, quoting several knowledgeable American sources, that 'only three countries possess the technology necessary to end the undisputed superiority of the American F-35 stealth fighter jet,' and these three are 'Russia, China, and... Yemen!' "Things get even more interesting when we learn that the prestigious American newspaper The New York Times also wrote, attempting to expose the background of the surprise U.S.-Yemen ceasefire and the USS Harry S Truman's escape from the Red Sea, that Trump, fearing damage from the Yemeni attacks and the downing of his F-35 jets, started negotiating with them and removed the aircraft carrier from the region. Asked 'If the Yemenis attack Israel after the ceasefire, what will be your reaction?' Trump replied, 'I will talk to both sides!' "Firing at huge ships whose main purpose is to intimidate the enemy, and downing expensive modern American fighter jets into the sea, is not something that every country can afford to do, or has the capability or courage to do. China and Russia may be able to attack the giant American planes, or down American F-35s – but have they the courage? The Houthis have shown that they do. Mahdi Al-Mashat says that we need to wait just a few days to see if they have the capability of downing F-35s! "In May, there were only a few days in which the Yemenis did not attack Tel Aviv, Israel's airports, and sensitive security centers, and [Israel] will apparently again attack Yemen in an attempt to stop this. In light of Mahdi Al-Mashat's statements, this potential [future] Israeli attack is expected to be particularly fateful! We must wait and see. But we must also consider that any news about downed Israeli F-35s jets will be censored, and no one will hear about it.[1] "The Tone Of Yemen's Supreme Political Council Head [Al-Mashat] Regarding The Yemenis' Powerful New Air Defense Is So Serious That It Can Be Said That Important News Is Imminent" "Experts on Yemen say that war with it, for whatever reason, is a very difficult challenge, even for the biggest military powers. This difficulty stems mainly from the 'character of the Yemeni people.' The Yemenis are a unique people; all those who have studied Yemeni society in depth unanimously confirm their uniqueness. For example, it is said that when [the Yemenis] encounter a problem or crisis, they do not 'wait,' but find a solution by themselves and continue moving forward in any way possible. Just as they have found a solution for the [problem of the] enormous American aircraft carriers, they say they have already found a solution for the [problem of the] F-35s. We must wait and see how effective their solution is. "'Courage' is one of the Yemeni people's most prominent characteristics, and this has made it hard for any enemy to fight them. They [the Houthis] have reiterated after every major attack by America and the Zionist regime that these attacks would not make them abandon their Palestinian brothers. The very fact that you have the courage to strike the world's largest military power and expel it from the region – is that not the height of courage? Israel and America, which were never seriously involved in fighting Yemen, know very little about this country and its people. In the words of that Zionist writer, 'Israel knows every single point in Lebanon, because it is a very close neighbor – but about Yemen, we have almost no information... Therefore, the war against the Houthis is especially difficult'... "As mentioned above, the coming days will be critical, in light of Mahdi Al-Mashat's claim. If the Yemenis successfully down the advanced and strategic F-35 fighter jet, we may well face a major psychological and media operation by America and the Zionist regime. They will try to downplay the significance of the incident. "They'll say, for example, that a 'technical glitch' was what caused the downing of the advanced fighter jet – just like they did in in the case of the three American F-18s, when they tried to claim that their downing was the result of evasive maneuvers by the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier – not by the precision firing of Yemeni missiles. At the same time, there may be barbaric Israeli attacks on civilian centers in Yemen, as well as an even more cruel massacre of Gazans. The Zionists generally advance their interests while taking civilians hostage. "'The option of starting secret negotiations' is another scenario that could materialize if an Israeli F-35 is downed. Israel may enter into secret negotiations with Yemen with American mediation, just as Trump conducted secret negotiations with the Yemenis, since neither Israel nor America can bear such great humiliation to its image. "The tone of Yemen's Supreme Political Council head [Al-Mashat] regarding the Yemenis' powerful new air defense is so serious that it can be said that important news is imminent. The best thing to do in this situation is to wait and see what happens. If the Yemenis' promise is kept, it can be said that the rules of this war will change. "The main question is: Are the Israeli regime and the U.S. willing to accept the risk of losing F-35s? Or would they rather avoid direct confrontation with Yemen?"[2]
