Mojtaba Khamenei, a prominent figure in Iran’s clerical establishment, has claimed that the United States is seeking an end to the war with Iran and that “enemy forces” will soon be driven out of the Arabian Sea.

The statement, made on Monday, is the latest in a series of claims by Iranian figures projecting confidence as the conflict in the Middle East continues. The remarks were reported by regional media citing Iranian sources.

The claims could not be independently verified. The United States has not responded to the assertion, and there has been no official statement from Washington suggesting it is seeking to end the conflict on the terms described.

Iran’s leadership has regularly issued statements about pushing American and allied forces out of regional waters. The Arabian Sea has strategic importance because of shipping lanes and the proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil passes.

The comments come as Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said indirect talks with the US on reopening the Strait of Hormuz had become “more serious”, suggesting diplomacy continues alongside the public rhetoric.