Never. That's when a senior Iranian lawmaker says they'll be ready to give up their control of the Strait of Hormuz. It's our inalienable right, Ebrahim Azizi, a former commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), tells the BBC in Tehran. Iran will decide the right of passage, including permissions for vessels to pass through the Strait. He says that's about to become enshrined in law. We are introducing a bill in parliament, based on article 110 of the constitution, which includes the environment, maritime safety and national security - and the armed forces will implement the law, says Azizi, who heads the Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy.
As worry mounts about the closure of this strategic waterway causing growing economic shocks worldwide, it's evident that this crisis is not short-term. Azizi described the Strait of Hormuz as one of our assets to face the enemy — a perception echoed in a parliament increasingly dominated by hardliners post-conflict.
Tehran is ready to assert its maritime dominance, viewing it as leverage not only for current negotiations but as a strategic advantage going forward. The first priority for Iran after the war is to restore deterrence and the Strait of Hormuz is among Iran's principal strategic leverages, explains Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at the University of Tehran.
Azizi's comments reveal a significant shift in policy outlook after a series of military confrontations in the region. Meanwhile, wary neighbors have condemned Iran's aggressive stance, with UAE officials calling it an act of hostile piracy. Azizi retorts, claiming others are the true pirates in the region aligned with US military interests.
Discussions regarding the future of the Strait remain contentious, not least as Iran appears poised to consolidate control amidst a broader regional fallout. The fate of this pivotal waterway is crucial in the continuing high-level talks involving several nations, with the risk of economic ramifications growing daily. As the situation evolves, all eyes remain on Tehran and its determined grip on the Strait.
As worry mounts about the closure of this strategic waterway causing growing economic shocks worldwide, it's evident that this crisis is not short-term. Azizi described the Strait of Hormuz as one of our assets to face the enemy — a perception echoed in a parliament increasingly dominated by hardliners post-conflict.
Tehran is ready to assert its maritime dominance, viewing it as leverage not only for current negotiations but as a strategic advantage going forward. The first priority for Iran after the war is to restore deterrence and the Strait of Hormuz is among Iran's principal strategic leverages, explains Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at the University of Tehran.
Azizi's comments reveal a significant shift in policy outlook after a series of military confrontations in the region. Meanwhile, wary neighbors have condemned Iran's aggressive stance, with UAE officials calling it an act of hostile piracy. Azizi retorts, claiming others are the true pirates in the region aligned with US military interests.
Discussions regarding the future of the Strait remain contentious, not least as Iran appears poised to consolidate control amidst a broader regional fallout. The fate of this pivotal waterway is crucial in the continuing high-level talks involving several nations, with the risk of economic ramifications growing daily. As the situation evolves, all eyes remain on Tehran and its determined grip on the Strait.
