Israel seeking American help ‘sign of weakness’: Khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described Israel’s reliance on American support as a clear sign of weakness.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khamenei stated: “The very fact that the Zionist regime’s American friends have stepped in and are making such statements is itself evidence of that regime’s weakness and inability.”

The remarks come amid escalating regional tensions, with Iran framing Israel’s appeal for US assistance as a sign of its diminishing strength on the global stage.

The very fact that the Zionist regime’s American friends have entered the scene and are saying such things is a sign of that regime’s weakness and inability.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 19, 2025

Read more: Tehran to close Strait of Hormuz if US joins aggression: Iranian lawmaker

Iran has warned that while it has no immediate plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, it will consider shutting the key maritime passage if Western powers, led by the United States, directly join Israel in military actions against Tehran.

Member of Parliament Seyyed Ali Yazdi Khah emphasized that while Iran is currently exercising restraint, it retains multiple strategic options to defend its national interests.

"The enemies must realize that Iran has several tools at its disposal, and we will not hesitate to use them if necessary," Yazdi Khah stated.

He clarified that Iran will allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for now, but warned that if the so-called 'Global Arrogance'—a term referring to the US and its Western allies—joins Israel in direct aggression against Iran, Tehran will consider closing the waterway as a decisive and justified response.