Iran Signals Confidence in Controlling Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing Conflict
Iran says it is close to a deal with Oman that would formalize its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a move it views as a strategic advantage despite economic pressures and regional tensions.
Iran has indicated that a tentative agreement with Oman could grant it formal management of the Strait of Hormuz, provided the United States lifts its naval blockade. The arrangement, which would still require U.S. approval, could allow Iran to levy fees and solidify its sovereignty over a waterway that handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
Analyst Abdolreza Davari, a former adviser to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Iran’s effective control of the strait gives it leverage with the United States and regional partners, adding that “more than revenue from the strait, Iran wants to confirm its management and sovereignty over the strait.”
Security analyst Mostafa Najafi described the strait as a “strategic lever for deterrence, maintaining the regional balance of power, and reshaping the security rules in the Persian Gulf.”
Iran’s chief negotiator’s adviser Mahdi Mohammadi posted on social media that Iran decides when the conflict ends, emphasizing a focus on “the enemy’s defeat — not an agreement.”
The United States has responded to Iranian actions with strikes that have targeted Iran’s leadership, navy and air force, while also warning of potential escalation. The war has strained Iran’s economy, with sanctions, a blockade of oil exports and high inflation affecting the population. Former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that without a diplomatic settlement, “economic recovery will be difficult, and the possibility of internal unrest or renewed aggression… cannot be ruled out.”
China has called for “normal and safe passage” through the strait, reflecting broader international concerns about freedom of navigation. Analysts note that formal Iranian control could set a precedent for nations to restrict global trade routes, raising questions about future maritime security and diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.