Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Thursday that Iran will protect its nuclear and missile capabilities as a national asset and will not surrender them [1].
The statement arrives as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a broader cease-fire deal and seeks to establish new strategic rules for the Strait of Hormuz [2]. This refusal to dismantle strategic programs signals a potential deadlock in diplomatic negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Leader’s office in Tehran, Khamenei said the programs are essential to the country's security [3]. "We will protect our nuclear and missile capabilities as a national asset and will never surrender them," Khamenei said [4].
Beyond nuclear assets, the Supreme Leader addressed the geopolitical importance of regional waterways. He said Iran will safeguard its nuclear and missile programmes and will set new rules for the Strait of Hormuz [5]. This waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, a point of frequent tension between Iran and Western powers.
Khamenei said the permanence of these capabilities remains regardless of external pressure. "Our nuclear and missile capabilities are essential to our national security and will be defended under any circumstances," he said [6].
The declaration on April 30, 2026 [7], serves as a firm response to international demands for disarmament. By framing these capabilities as national assets, the Iranian leadership is positioning them as non-negotiable terms in any future diplomatic agreements with the U.S. or other global powers.
“"We will protect our nuclear and missile capabilities as a national asset and will never surrender them."”
The Supreme Leader's rhetoric indicates that Iran views its nuclear and missile programs not as bargaining chips, but as fundamental pillars of its national security. By explicitly mentioning the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran is reminding the international community of its ability to disrupt global energy markets, effectively leveraging regional geography to offset U.S. diplomatic and economic pressure.
