Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes its behaviour and fulfils its commitments, amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Speaking to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Rezaei said, “America must first fulfil its obligations” before the strategic waterway can be reopened. He rejected US pressure on Iran and accused Washington of shifting from military action to an economic blockade and sanctions campaign aimed at weakening Tehran and forcing it to surrender.
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Rezaei claimed Iran has developed ways to bypass sanctions and maintain its oil exports despite international restrictions. He also warned regional countries against supporting the US economic campaign, saying nations that assist Washington could be treated as enemies and face consequences.
He stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced US President Donald Trump that a tight economic blockade would compel Iran to surrender. "Netanyahu has promised Trump that if he imposes an economic blockade on Iran for six months or two to three months, he will surrender," he added, reported foreign media.
The Iranian official further accused the US and Israel of pursuing policies designed to weaken Iran and said Tehran wants an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He maintained that Iran has the authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to its extensive coastline along the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could therefore affect global energy supplies, oil prices and international trade.
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Rezaei's remarks underline Tehran's position that the strait will not reopen simply because of international pressure. Instead, Iran is linking its reopening to changes in US policy and fulfilment of Washington's commitments, signalling that economic sanctions and pressure alone will not force Tehran to back down.
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