Iran's Khamenei Vows Nuclear Defense, US Eyes Blockade

0:00On April 30th, Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Murtabha Khamenei just dropped a bold statement vowing to defend the country's nuclear and missile programs no matter what. This comes as President Trump pushes airstrikes in a bigger deal to curb those capabilities during the shaky ceasefire and their ongoing war. Khamenei, who hasn't shown his face publicly since taking over after his father's death, made it clear the U.S. has no business in the Persian Gulf, except at the bottom of it. Meanwhile, Iran's grip on the strait of Hormuz is squeezing global oil supplies with one-fifth of the world's crude passing through there. Their economies hurting from a U.S. Navy blockade stopping their oil tankers, and benchmark Brent Crude hit $126 a barrel on Thursday. That chokehold is hitting everyone, especially U.S. allies exporting their own oil and gas from the Gulf. Folks are filling the heat worldwide with skyrocketing energy costs, and inside Iran, things are getting darker. The regime just executed a 21-year-old man for

1:03protesting back in January, part of a crackdown that's seen at least 21 hanging since. The war started, including for dissent and alleged spying. Human rights groups say trials are secretive and unfair, ramping up fear among the 90 million Iranians. On the flip side, Trump's team is floating a plan to keep blocking Iranian ports while teaming up with allies to hit back harder and reopen the strait. Their eyeing diplomatic moves, too, all to force Iran to ease up. Pakistan's still hosting back channel talks between the two sides, hinting direct calls could cool things down fast. As tension simmer, Iran's insisting their strait control makes the Gulf safer under new rules, but Gulf Arabs call it straight up piracy. With oil prices volatile, and the ceasefire on thin ice, everyone's watching if diplomacy or escalation wins out next. This has been Global News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.