Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to international traffic unless it operates under arrangements dictated by Tehran.
The statement, reported by multiple wire services including TASS and The Hindu, marks a hardening of Iran’s position on the critical waterway, warning the United States of severe consequences for any perceived aggression.
The assertion adds to the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints.
With roughly a fifth of global oil supplies passing through the strait, any threat to its free flow immediately triggers repricing in energy markets and freight rates.
The comment comes as shipping companies continue to navigate the corridor under heightened risk, with recent reports indicating that tankers, including those operated by Indonesia’s Pertamina, are clearing the strait despite persistent tensions.
Ghalibaf’s remarks follow a series of escalatory statements from Iranian officials regarding the administration of the strait.