Iran's supreme leader urges economic, cultural battles to defeat 'enemies'.

Shotlist Tehran, Iran - April 12, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 1. Various of traffic, national flags of Iran, Azadi Tower Tehran, Iran - April 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 2. Various of traffic, pedestrians, national flags of Iran Tehran, Iran - April 30, 2026 (NNC - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 3. Various of traffic, people, booths at bazaar Beijing, China - May 1, 2026 (CCTV Video News Agency - No access Chinese mainland) 4. Screenshot of posts on X of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Strait of Hormuz - Released on April 23, 2026 (IRIB – No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 5. Various of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy vessel sailing at sea; Iranian national flag FILE: Strait of Hormuz - Date Unknown (NNC - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 6. Various of ships sailing in Strait of Hormuz FILE: Strait of Hormuz - 2018 (NNC - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda) 7. Various of ships sailing at Strait of Hormuz Storyline Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday urged Iranians to wage an "economic battle" and a "cultural battle" to defeat the country's "enemies," according to a message carried by Iranian media. In the message marking the Workers' Day and Teachers' Day, which fall on Friday and Saturday, Khamenei said that after over 47 years of struggle, Iran has demonstrated its military capabilities against enemies and "must also disappoint and defeat them in the economic and cultural battles." He described teachers and workers as the most effective elements in these battles, calling them "the backbones" of the cultural and economic spheres. Khamenei also urged prioritizing the consumption of domestic products. The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that new regulations for managing the Persian Gulf will be implemented based on a "historic" directive from Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. In a statement made via the social media platform X, the IRGC Navy said that, leveraging its dominance over nearly 2,000 kilometers of Iran's coastline in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, it aims to transform the body of water into a source of income and power for the Iranian people, while promoting security and prosperity in the region. On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. In response, Iran carried out waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East, along with energy and civilian infrastructure in several Gulf nations, while asserting strict control over the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire between the parties was reached on April 8.