‘By No Means’: Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Declares Strait of Hormuz Will Not Return to Pre-War Conditions
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TEHRAN — The strategic Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state “under any circumstances,” a senior Iranian lawmaker declared on Sunday, citing a direct order from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and signaling that the status quo for global energy supplies has fundamentally and permanently shifted .
The announcement by Ali Nikzad, the second deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, represents a hardening of Tehran’s position amid ongoing US-Iran ceasefire talks . It confirms that after two months of Iranian control over the waterway and a subsequent American naval blockade, a return to peacetime navigation norms is no longer a negotiating point for Tehran.
A ‘Divine Blessing’ Permanently Changed
Nikzad told the semi-official Mehr News Agency that the decision to permanently alter the status of the Strait of Hormuz comes from the highest levels of the Iranian government .
“We will by no means return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state, because this is an order from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.”
— Ali Nikzad, Second Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament
Appearing on Iranian television, Nikzad framed the ongoing control of the strait as a strategic asset, referring to the disruption of global energy flows as “one of the divine blessings of the war” that Tehran now understands it can leverage .
He warned that if Iran and its allies exercised effective control over both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb (off the coast of Yemen), the global economy would be impacted by 25%. “We understood this in the last war,” he said, vowing never to relinquish this strategic advantage .
The Strategic Context: War and Counter-Blockade
Since the US and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, Tehran has maintained effective control of the Strait of Hormuz . In response, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13 .
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Control of Strait | Iran maintains operational control (since Feb 28) |
| US Naval Blockade | Imposed April 13; limits Iranian shipping |
| Shipping Tolls | Iran has begun collecting revenue from strait transits |
| Global Impact | Major disruption to oil/gas supplies, especially across Asia |
The dual pressure points—Iran restricting the strait and the US blockading Iranian ports—have caused the worst disruption to global energy supplies in modern history .
Khamenei’s ‘New Phase’ and the Permanence of the Crisis
The lawmaker’s remarks align with previous statements made by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Shortly after assuming leadership following the death of his father on the first day of the war, Khamenei announced that the management of the strait would enter a “new phase” .
At the time, Khamenei stated that while Iran does not seek war, it “will not give up its rights in any way,” and that the transformation of the strait’s management was non-negotiable .
The reference to a direct “order from the Leader” by Nikzad suggests that any diplomatic solution currently being negotiated through Pakistani and Omani intermediaries must account for this permanent shift in Iran’s posture, effectively ruling out a return to the freedom of navigation that existed before the conflict .
Broader Political Implications
The hardline stance on the strait is accompanied by continued defiance on the nuclear issue. Nikzad also took aim at US President Donald Trump, attacking his credibility regarding Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.
“Didn’t Trump, after bombing Fordo and Natanz, say that everything had been destroyed and Iran no longer had a nuclear program? Yet now he says he will not accept Iran having nuclear capability. Who is Trump in the world to decide this?”
— Ali Nikzad, Second Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament
Iran’s parliament and the Supreme National Security Council are currently jointly reviewing a proposed plan to formalize this sovereign control over the Strait of Hormuz . Alongside its refusal to surrender enriched uranium, Tehran has signaled it will not bow to external pressure regarding the vital waterway, regardless of the outcome of ongoing ceasefire talks with the US and Israel .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly did the Iranian official say about the Strait of Hormuz?
Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad declared that the Strait of Hormuz will “by no means return to its previous state” under any circumstances, citing a direct order from the Supreme Leader .
Q2: Why is Iran refusing to return to pre-war conditions?
Iran frames the control of the strait as a strategic asset and a “divine blessing.” It argues that the war demonstrated how controlling the strait affects the global economy by 25%, and Tehran will not relinquish that leverage .
Q3: Is the US involved in the current status of the strait?
Yes. The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports (since April 13) in response to Iran’s control of the strait. Both measures are currently disrupting global shipping .
Q4: What is Iran’s position regarding the US in the strait?
Nikzad alleged that the United States wants to “become a partner in the Strait of Hormuz instead of Oman,” adding that Tehran will “under no conditions accept this” .
Q5: Is this stance connected to nuclear negotiations?
Yes. The hardline position on the strait is part of a broader defiance of US pressure, including regarding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, which Tehran refuses to surrender regardless of negotiations .
Q6: Are there any international efforts to reopen the strait?
Yes. Britain, France, and military planners from over 30 countries have held talks to protect navigation through the strait, with Paris and London saying they would lead a multinational mission as soon as conditions allow .
Q7: Has Iran started making money from controlling the strait?
Yes. Tehran has reportedly received the first revenues from tolls imposed on the strait, which have been deposited into the Central Bank account .
Q8: Could the ceasefire talks change this stance?
Nikzad’s reference to a “direct order from the Leader” suggests this is a red line that is non-negotiable, regardless of the outcome of the current diplomatic efforts in Islamabad and Muscat .
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Official Statement | “We will by no means return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state” |
| Source | Ali Nikzad, Second Deputy Speaker of Iranian Parliament |
| Authority | Cited as a direct order from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution |
| Current Status | Iran controls the strait (since Feb 28); US imposes blockade (since Apr 13) |
| Global Impact | Iran states controlling strait + Bab el-Mandeb affects 25% of global economy |
| Nuclear Stance | Iran refuses to surrender enriched uranium regardless of negotiations |
Sources and Further Reading
Reflecto News has compiled this report from verified sources including The Express Tribune, Anadolu Ajansı, Türkiye Today, NDTV, Reuters, and official statements from the Islamic Republic of Iran. All information is accurate as of publication.
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