This also comes amid President Donald Trump\u2019s plans to extend the blockade of Iranian ports until the country gives up its nuclear ambitions. \u201cThe blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can\u2019t have a nuclear weapon,\u201d Trump\u00a0told<\/a> Axios in an interview on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Khamenei Says Iran Will Guard Its Nuclear, Missile Capabilities<\/p>\n The Iranian Supreme Leader also stated in the letter that the country will guard its nuclear and missile capabilities, flying in the face of President Trump\u2019s demands from the Middle Eastern country.<\/p>\n He added that Iranians consider their nuclear and missile capabilities as their national capital, and touted that they will guard them like water, land, and air borders.<\/p>\n Khamenei also took a swipe at other countries in the region housing U.S. bases.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica\u2019s puppet bases do not even have the strength and capacity to ensure their own security, let alone that there is any hope that America will provide security to its dependents and American-loving people in the region,\u201d he said, according to the report.<\/p>\n Oil Prices Edge Lower After Rally<\/p>\n Crude oil prices edged lower on Thursday after inching close to their all-time highs. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures expiring in June were down nearly 0.3%, hovering around $107 a barrel. Brent crude futures expiring in June fell 0.2% to hover around $110 a barrel.<\/p>\n The\u00a0United States Oil Fund ETF<\/a> (USO) and\u00a0ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF<\/a> (UCO) were down nearly 2% at the time of writing.<\/p>\n Iranian President Says Blockade Attempts Doomed To Fail<\/p>\n Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday stated that any attempts to blockade the country\u2019s ports are doomed to fail, according to a\u00a0report<\/a> by Tasnim News Agency.<\/p>\n Pezeshkian also highlighted that sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz depends on the withdrawal of foreign countries from the region as well as the cooperation of coastal countries in the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, U.S. equities gained in Thursday\u2019s pre-market trade. At the time of writing, the\u00a0SPDR S&P 500 ETF<\/a> (SPY), which tracks the S&P 500 index, was up 0.32%; the\u00a0Invesco QQQ Trust ETF<\/a> (QQQ) rose 0.39%; and the\u00a0SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust<\/a> (DIA) gained 0.58%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&P 500 ETF was in the \u2018bullish\u2019 territory.<\/p>\n Also See:\u00a0AMST Plummets 32% After Announcing $6M Concurrent Direct Offering, Private Placement<\/a><\/p>\n For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.<\/p>\n
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