Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei says, in relation to the US, "The strongest army in the world may sometimes be slapped so hard that it cannot get up."

• Full quote attributed to Khamenei, "It seems to them that the US President keeps saying that our army is the strongest army in the world. The strongest army in the world may sometimes be slapped so hard that it cannot get up. They keep saying we sent an aircraft carrier towards Iran. Well, an aircraft carrier is certainly a dangerous device, but more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon that can sink this carrier to the bottom of the sea. The US President in one of his recent speeches said that for 47 years America has not been able to destroy the Islamic Republic; he complained to his own people. For 47 years America has not been able to destroy the Islamic Republic. This is a good admission. I say: you will not be able to do this either."

Khamenei's remarks underscore a defiant stance against the U.S., implying that military posturing alone does not guarantee power. This rhetoric is likely to heighten tensions, impacting risk sentiment and reinforcing safe-haven assets like gold and the yen, while potentially pushing oil prices higher due to concerns over regional stability.