Iran seeks control of Strait of Hormuz as tensions with United States persist

Iran has announced that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States ends its military actions, lifts the naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdraws forces from the region, compensates Tehran for war damage, lifts sanctions and releases frozen assets. The Iranian government said a pending agreement with Oman could formalize Tehran's control over the waterway, which carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.

Abdolreza Davari, a former adviser to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Iran's effective control of the strait provides leverage over the United States and regional states. "More than revenue from the strait, Iran wants to confirm its management and sovereignty over the strait," he told reporters from Tehran.

Mostafa Najafi, a security analyst based in Tehran, described the strait as a strategic lever for deterrence and for reshaping security rules in the Persian Gulf. "For Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic lever for deterrence, maintaining the regional balance of power, and reshaping the security rules in the Persian Gulf," he said.

The United States has not issued a comment on Tehran's conditions. China, a major oil buyer from Iran, has called for the restoration of "normal and safe passage" through the strait.

Iranian officials have emphasized that the conflict will end on Tehran's terms. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran's chief negotiator, posted on social media, "They started the war, but its end was never with them. We always decide for ourselves when it ends."

Analysts note that while Iran's strategy aims to increase its bargaining power, it also carries economic and political risks. Rahman Ghahremanpour, an Iran-based analyst, warned that prolonged control of the strait could strain Iran's economy and provoke internal unrest. "Iran cannot continue with this strategy forever, and at a certain point, in reality, it has to reach a deal with America," he said.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted global energy markets and heightened inflation in Iran, where food prices have surged and the currency has weakened. Former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote that the war has created a diplomatic opening but cautioned that without a timely settlement, economic recovery will be difficult and the risk of further instability will rise.

The situation remains fluid, with no clear indication of when or how the United States and Iran might resolve their disputes over the strait and broader regional issues.