Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Mojtaba Khamenei demands the US withdraw from the Middle East within 30 days, as global markets react and allies rally in support
By Mohammad Basir-Ul-Haq Sinha : Iran’s new Supreme Leader has delivered his first address since assuming power, issuing a sweeping three-point ultimatum to the United States that has sent shockwaves through global markets and drawn rapid responses from major world powers.
Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei presented the demands through a formal communique delivered via Swiss intermediaries, giving Washington 30 days to comply. The Islamic Republic is demanding:
1. Complete withdrawal of all US military forces from the Middle East within 30 days.
2. The immediate lifting of all sanctions imposed on Iran.
3. Payment of $500 billion in compensation.
Within 90 minutes of the Supreme Leader’s address, China issued a statement warning against any potential US or Israeli military action against Iran’s new leadership and calling for “diplomatic engagement” on all outstanding issues.
Nine to ten hours after the demands were made public, neither the United States nor Israel had issued any official response.
In his address, Ayatollah-ul-Uzma Mojtaba Khamenei outlined three specific measures Iran would implement if its demands are not met by the April 10, 2026 deadline:
1. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic
2. Implementation of joint military-strategic measures with China and Russia in the interest of Iran’s security, potentially including permitting foreign powers to establish bases on Iranian soil
3. Pursuit of nuclear capabilities and development of a nuclear deterrent in accordance with international law, including possible deployment of nuclear weapons. The source of such weaponry was not specified, though the wording suggested Iran may already possess its own nuclear arsenal.
China’s swift reaction came within 90 minutes, with an official statement declaring: “China recognizes Iran’s LEGITIMATE SECURITY CONCERNS and supports Iran’s RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST FOREIGN AGGRESSION.”
Russia followed 130 minutes after the address with its own statement supporting Iran’s position.
The announcement triggered immediate turbulence in global markets. Crude oil prices surged 18% to $121 per barrel. The S&P 500 index fell 4%. Gold prices rose sharply, while Bitcoin plummeted 22%.
Adding to the tension, a classified document marked “TOP SECRET, DATED MARCH 9TH” was leaked from the White House and subsequently published by the Washington Post. The document reportedly assesses potential scenarios and consequences of military action against Iran, concluding that “the current military campaign has ACHIEVED TACTICAL SUCCESS in destroying Iranian infrastructure but has FAILED TO ACHIEVE ANY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE.”
The leaked assessment further noted that “Iran retains the ability to strike American forces indefinitely, that Iranian missile production has not been significantly degraded, and that Iran’s nuclear facilities in deep underground bunkers remain INTACT despite repeated strikes. The war cannot be won without a ground invasion.”