Iran will never relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz, said senior lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, in an interview with BBC. The statement directly contradicts American expectations that the reopening of the strait will be permanent as part of a peace agreement.
“Never. It’s our inalienable right,” Azizi told the British outlet. “Iran will decide the right of passage, including permissions for vessels to transit the strait.”
The parliamentarian also revealed that a bill is being prepared to institutionalize this control. “We are introducing a bill in parliament, based on article 110 of the constitution, which includes the environment, maritime security and national security, and the armed forces will implement the law,” he said.
Continues after advertising
Azizi described control over Hormuz as “one of our assets to confront the enemy”, signaling that Tehran does not see the issue just as a negotiating card in the current conflict, but as an instrument of long-term power.
The Iranian position clashes head-on with that of the United Arab Emirates, the country that was hardest hit by Iranian attacks during the five weeks of war. The UAE president’s diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, called Iran’s control over the strait an “act of hostile piracy” and warned that if Iran refuses to give up its position, it will set “a dangerous precedent” for other strategic sea lanes around the world.
Azizi responded to the criticism directly, accusing the Gulf countries of having “sold the region to the Americans” and calling the US “the biggest pirate in the world”. Regarding accusations that Tehran is trying to “blackmail” Washington, the parliamentarian said he did not expect anything from someone who “distorts the truth”.
The statement gains weight due to Azizi’s profile: he represents a hardened wing that gained even more influence in the Iranian parliament after a series of assassinations of high-ranking figures in Israeli attacks.
Iran declared the strait “completely open” to commercial traffic this Friday (17), during the current ceasefire. Trump confirmed the reopening, but maintained the American naval blockade of Iranian ports. On the weekend, , and . The ceasefire between the countries ends next Wednesday (22).
