The spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared on April 14 that the Strait of Hormuz is not just a crucial oil transit route but also a strategic instrument for Tehran to assert its strength and respond to rivals.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Brigadier General Ramazan Sharif emphasized that control over the Strait of Hormuz allows Iran to influence global energy markets and gain a negotiating advantage in regional affairs.
“The Strait of Hormuz is now a strategic tool serving the national power and interests of the Iranian people,” Sharif said, while affirming that Tehran possesses full capability to ensure maritime security in the area when necessary.
The statement comes amid persistently high tensions between Iran and the United States, following Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the re-imposition of economic sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil consumption passes, has long been regarded as a strategic flashpoint, with Tehran repeatedly threatening to close it if pushed to the brink.
Analysts suggest that the IRGC's latest move aims to bolster Iran's negotiating position in discussions over its nuclear program and regional security issues, especially as Tehran has intensified its military activities in these waters in recent years.
