Iran Declares Control of Strait of Hormuz a ‘Natural Right’ as Diplomatic Proposal Lands
TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei declared Friday that managing the Strait of Hormuz is Tehran’s “natural right,” a statement that coincides with the delivery of a fresh Iranian negotiation proposal to Pakistani mediators .
The assertion of control over the strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes, represents a hardening of Tehran’s position just as diplomatic efforts intensify .
“Control of the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s natural right. We have the right to ensure the security and stability of this vital waterway.”
— Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman
🎯 Timing: Red Line on ‘Red Lines’
The Iranian demand for control of the strait has been a consistent “red line” throughout the conflict, which began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on February 28 .
Tehran has previously proposed establishing a “new legal regime” for the waterway before any ceasefire, an idea the US has firmly rejected. Baghaei’s “natural right” formulation echoes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s earlier declaration that the strait’s “new management” would bring “progress, comfort, and prosperity” to the region .
The statement may be directed at Israeli officials who have threatened to close the strait themselves as a pressure tactic, and at Gulf Arab states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are discussing reopening the strait in coordination with the US .
🎲 What Comes Next
The convergence of Baghaei’s declaration and the delivery of a new proposal suggests Tehran is testing whether Washington will separate the strait issue from the nuclear program.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has maintained that Iran’s nuclear program is non-negotiable, while the strait could be addressed as part of a phased end to the war. Trump has rejected such sequencing, insisting that nuclear concessions come first.
Analysts in Tehran expect Baghaei’s remarks to generate little friction with Pakistan — the channel through which the new proposal was sent — as Islamabad has historically supported Iran’s right to secure its own coastline . The response from Washington, however, may determine whether the current fragile ceasefire holds or collapses.
Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on US-Iran diplomacy, the Strait of Hormuz, and all breaking news from the Middle East.