Iran Vows to Maintain Control of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran will never cede control of the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian politician told the BBC, reinforcing Iran’s longstanding position that the strategic waterway remains under its sovereign authority despite persistent international pressure and naval activity in the region.

The statement, made by Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, underscores Tehran’s resolve to maintain oversight of the narrow passage through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply transits. Shamkhani emphasized that any attempt to undermine Iran’s role in the strait would be met with a firm response, framing control of Hormuz as a core element of national security.

His remarks come amid heightened maritime tensions in the Gulf, where Iranian naval forces have repeatedly interacted with commercial vessels and foreign warships in recent months. The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran to the north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south, has long been a flashpoint for geopolitical strain, particularly as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program continue to stall.

Shamkhani dismissed external criticisms of Iran’s conduct in the waterway, asserting that Tehran’s actions are defensive and lawful under international maritime law. He accused certain foreign powers of exaggerating incidents to justify increased military presence in the region, which he characterized as destabilizing.

The Iranian official’s comments align with recent statements from military and diplomatic figures in Tehran, who have repeatedly warned that any restriction on Iran’s access to or influence over the strait would be unacceptable. In April 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy conducted drills simulating the closure of the strait, a move widely interpreted as a signal of Tehran’s willingness to use its geographic leverage if provoked.

Analysts note that while Iran frequently invokes its rights in Hormuz as a deterrent, its actual ability to sustain a blockade is limited by economic dependence on oil exports and the likelihood of a swift international response. Nevertheless, the mere prospect of disruption keeps global energy markets sensitive to developments in the region.

Western navies, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, and France, continue to operate in and around the strait under maritime security initiatives aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation. These missions often involve escorting commercial ships through the waterway, particularly during periods of heightened tension.

Despite these efforts, Iran maintains that foreign military presence undermines regional stability and violates the spirit of coastal state rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Tehran argues that its own naval activities are conducted within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, consistent with international norms.

As diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program remain inconclusive, the Strait of Hormuz continues to serve as a strategic lever in Tehran’s foreign policy toolkit. While Iranian officials insist they seek no escalation, they also make clear that any perceived threat to their interests in the waterway will be met with a proportional response.

For now, the strait remains open to commercial traffic, but the underlying tension persists — a reflection of the broader standoff between Iran and Western powers over influence, security, and control in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.