Iran’s supreme leader, despite questions of his health and active hold on the country in crisis, is signaling no retreat on the country’s core military programs even as President Donald Trump seeks peace. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, while reportedly in questionable health, issued a Persian Gulf Day statement online, vowing the Islamic Republic would protect its “nuclear and missile capabilities” and drawing a hard line as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s confrontation with the U.S.

Khamenei also escalated his rhetoric against Washington, saying the only place for the American military in the Persian Gulf is “at the bottom of its waters.” “By God’s help and power, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without America, one serving the progress, comfort and prosperity of its people,” a translation of the statement read.