Two police officers walk in front of an anti-US billboard depicting American aircraft being caught by Iranian armed forces in a fishing net beneath the words in Farsi, "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, The entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground." (AP Photo)Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei late Thursday declared that the country has achieved a “decisive victory” in the war against the United States and Israel, saying that Iran will now take management of the Strait of Hormuz into a “new phase.”In his first message since the fragile ceasefire was announced, shared by Iranian media, Khamenei said, “Today, and up to this point, it can boldly be said that you, the heroic nation of Iran, have been the definitive victor in this arena.”He also warned that Tehran will not allow the US and Israel to go unpunished for their aggression. “By the permission of Almighty God, we will certainly not leave unpunished the criminal aggressors who attacked our country. We will undoubtedly demand compensation for every single damage inflicted, blood money for the martyrs, and reparations for the disabled veterans of this war, and we will certainly advance the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic new phase,” he added.Also Read | How world leaders reacted to Iran-US two-week ceasefire after Trump’s announcement: ‘Big day for world peace’The statement, attributed to Khamenei, who has not yet been seen or heard in public since his selection as the country’s new Supreme Leader, was read out across state media.Khamenei’s statement comes as US President Donald Trump expressed his doubts over the effectiveness of the ceasefire halting the Iran war.“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday. “That is not the agreement we have!”His post came after he alleged Iran to be charging fees for tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” he wrote.The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Iran War