Iran Sends a Clear Message on the Strait of Hormuz: 'The Strait Will Remain Closed if Not Accepted'

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that negotiations with Oman regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing, emphasizing that Tehran will not back down. If Iran's proposal is not accepted, the strait will remain closed, and no alternative solution will be considered.

Our proposal is for one route in the strait to be completely under Iran's control, and for part of the other route to also be under Iran's control. This scenario is final, and Iran will not accept any other formula.

Gharibabadi said that the Tehran administration does not recognize the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's proposal is the only option:

One route will be completely under Iran's control, and part of the other route will also be under Iran's control. This is our firm stance, and we will not accept any other formula.

Gharibabadi stated that the Strait of Hormuz has become an integral part of Iran's national security, and Tehran's primary goal is to prevent the strait from returning to its pre-war status:

Iran's policy is that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war status. If we had opened the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, we would no longer be able to establish sovereignty over the Strait.

Gharibabadi argued that European warships approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be considered legitimate targets, and Iran has developed new defense capabilities:

We have discovered a new defense capability called the Strait of Hormuz. The world should know that Iran is increasing its defense capabilities, and we cannot give up on these capabilities.