Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserts that Iran intends to maintain long-term management of the Strait of Hormuz as a primary national security priority.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, recently clarified that the Islamic Republic intends to maintain permanent management over the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic move aims to transform the maritime chokepoint into a regulated corridor where Iran can dictate rules and potentially collect fees, modeled after Turkey’s successful management of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The administration is currently navigating a volatile period as Iran asserts its sovereignty over the waterway, which handles nearly a quarter of global seaborne crude oil trade. While a 60-day memorandum of understanding briefly paused hostilities, the administration announced a naval blockade to counter Iran's efforts to monopolize the strait. Iran argues that its navy provides essential security and environmental management, justifying a de facto toll system. Conversely, the administration maintains that no country has the right to charge for international waterways. As the standoff continues, shipping firms face a choice between accepting Iranian regulations, facing higher insurance costs, or navigating alternative routes established by the US and Oman.