Iran Threatens Full Strait of Hormuz Restriction Amid US Sanctions Standoff

Tehran - Ekhbary News Agency

Iran Warns of Full Strait of Hormuz Restriction Over US Sanctions

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, has declared that the Islamic Republic will impose full restrictions on navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the United States does not lift its sanctions on Tehran. The warning, made during a television interview, underscores Iran's assertion of absolute control over the strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade.

Ghalibaf's remarks come amidst escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have intensified since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed stringent economic sanctions. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close or restrict traffic in the strait in response to external pressures, a move that the international community views as a significant threat to global energy security.

Recalling US Minesweeper Incident: A Display of Iranian Control

During the interview, Ghalibaf recounted a past confrontation involving a U.S. minesweeper during talks in Islamabad, presenting it as evidence of Iran's resolve and control over the strait. "We dealt firmly with the U.S. attempt to remove mines and considered it a violation of the ceasefire, advancing to the point of engagement, but the enemy retreated," he stated.

Ghalibaf elaborated on the incident, noting that he had informed the U.S. delegation at the time that "if their minesweeper moved even slightly from its position, we would certainly open fire on it." He added that the U.S. side requested 15 minutes to issue the order to retreat, which they did. This anecdote highlights Iran's determination to assert its sovereignty in the strait and suggests that any challenge to this control would be met with a firm response.

Strait of Hormuz: A Lifeline for the Global Economy

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most vital maritime passages, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies, along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas, transit daily. Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, it serves as an indispensable strategic chokepoint for the global economy. Any disruption to navigation through it could lead to a sharp surge in global oil prices and severe economic repercussions.

Iran has long maintained that the strait falls within its territorial waters and that it possesses the sovereign right to manage and regulate navigation within it, especially in light of perceived threats to its national security. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) oversees navigation in the strait and reportedly levies transit fees on passing vessels, a practice that has sparked international debate over its legitimacy.

Criticism of US Sanctions as 'Clumsy and Ignorant'

The Iranian Parliament Speaker sharply criticized U.S. sanctions, labeling them a "clumsy and ignorant decision." He stressed that "it is unreasonable for others to be able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot." These statements reflect Iran's frustration with the economic restrictions imposed by Washington, which target vital sectors such as oil and gas, significantly impacting the Iranian economy and the lives of its citizens.

Tehran views these sanctions as a violation of international law, limiting its right to free trade and access to global markets, while other nations benefit from freedom of navigation in a strait that Iran considers integral to its security. The Iranian leadership emphasizes the necessity of lifting these sanctions as a fundamental condition for any de-escalation or future negotiations with the United States.

Uncertain Future of Iran-US Relations

Ghalibaf's statements come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, with increasing international calls for de-escalation between Tehran and Washington. With Iranian officials previously rejecting the handover of enriched uranium to Washington or engaging in a new round of talks without the lifting of sanctions, the path toward any diplomatic resolution remains long and fraught with obstacles.

Adding to the complexity, reports indicate that the IRGC has dismantled cells operating on behalf of the United States, Israel, and Britain, further complicating the security landscape in the region. As mutual threats persist, the fate of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's relations with Washington remain contingent on future political and military developments.