Iran’s Top Negotiator Says Opening Strait of Hormuz ‘Impossible’ Due to US Blockade and Israeli ‘Warmongering’
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Energy Security
Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, has declared that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is currently “impossible” due to the United States’ naval blockade and what he described as Israel’s “warmongering across all fronts.” The statement, made during an interview with Iranian state television, effectively closes the door on a key US demand for any potential nuclear deal .
“Opening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible under the current circumstances. The US naval blockade is an act of war, and the Zionist regime’s warmongering across all fronts has made the region a powder keg. How can we talk about safe passage when we ourselves are under siege?” — Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s Top Nuclear Negotiator
The Core Obstacle: A ‘Chicken-or-Egg’ Standoff
Bagheri Kani’s comments underscore the fundamental deadlock in US-Iran negotiations. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain until a deal is reached and the strait is fully reopened . Iran, in turn, has made clear that it will not negotiate under the “shadow of threat” and that the blockade is a violation of the ceasefire .
This has created a classic “chicken-or-egg” standoff. Washington demands that Iran first reopen the strait and abandon its nuclear ambitions; Tehran insists that the blockade must be lifted before it will return to the negotiating table .
“The United States wants to have its cake and eat it too. They impose an illegal blockade, strangle our economy, and then expect us to facilitate the very shipping lanes they have closed. This is not diplomacy; it is coercion.” — Ali Bagheri Kani
‘Warmongering Across All Fronts’
Bagheri Kani specifically cited Israeli military operations as a major factor preventing de-escalation. Israel has continued its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon throughout the US-Iran ceasefire, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing plans to establish a “deeper security zone” in southern Lebanon .
Israeli military actions cited by Iran:
| Front | Israeli Actions |
|---|---|
| Lebanon | Continued airstrikes on Hezbollah targets; ground invasion of southern Lebanon; plans for expanded “security zone” |
| Syria | Regular airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets |
| West Bank | Ongoing military operations |
| Regional | Threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities directly |
Iran views these actions as proof that Israel is intent on widening the conflict, making any Iranian concession on the strait strategically untenable. Tehran has long argued that the US-Iran ceasefire must also apply to Lebanon—a position Washington and Israel have consistently rejected .
‘The Region Is a Powder Keg’
Bagheri Kani’s warning that the region is a “powder keg” reflects genuine fears that any miscalculation could trigger a wider war. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that its forces have “hands on the trigger” and are ready to respond to any US attack .
The IRGC has also threatened “massive attacks on enemy assets across the region” if fighting resumes, signaling that any renewed conflict would not be contained to Iranian territory .
The Economic Impact of the Blockade
Bagheri Kani’s assertion that the strait’s closure is “impossible” to reverse under current conditions is rooted in the strategic reality that Iran views its ability to threaten the strait as its primary source of leverage.
Key impacts of the closure:
| Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Oil Prices | Brent crude has remained elevated near $100/barrel |
| Iranian Revenue | Iran’s oil exports severely restricted |
| Stranded Vessels | Hundreds of ships trapped in the Gulf |
| Insurance Costs | War-risk premiums have skyrocketed |
| Supply Chains | Global shipping disruptions |
Iran has maintained that it can sustain the economic pressure longer than the US can sustain the political cost of high energy prices .
The Ceasefire’s Fragile State
President Trump extended the fragile two-week ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, giving Tehran time to formulate a “unified proposal” for negotiations . However, Bagheri Kani’s comments suggest that the fundamental gaps between the two sides remain unbridgeable.
| Factor | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Ceasefire | Extended, but fragile |
| US Blockade | Remains in place |
| Strait of Hormuz | Largely closed; Iran says reopening “impossible” |
| Nuclear Talks | Stalled; Iran refuses to send delegation |
| Israel-Hezbollah Front | Active fighting continues |
What Comes Next
Bagheri Kani’s statement effectively rules out a near-term resolution of the strait issue, which is a core US demand. Unless the US lifts its blockade—a step the White House has repeatedly rejected—Iran will not facilitate the reopening of the strait.
Possible scenarios:
| Scenario | Likelihood | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Continued stalemate | Likely | Ceasefire holds, but no progress on strait |
| US lifts blockade unilaterally | Unlikely | Would be seen as concession |
| Iran agrees to partial opening | Possible | Could be face-saving compromise |
| Ceasefire collapses | Elevated | Risk of renewed war |
Bagheri Kani’s comments serve as a reminder that despite the ceasefire extension, the fundamental drivers of the conflict remain unresolved—and the Strait of Hormuz remains the central battleground.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Iran’s top negotiator say about the Strait of Hormuz?
Ali Bagheri Kani said that opening the strait is “impossible” due to the US naval blockade and Israeli “warmongering across all fronts.”
2. Why does Iran say the strait cannot be opened?
Iran views the US blockade as an “act of war” and argues that it will not facilitate shipping while under economic siege. Iran also cites Israeli military operations in Lebanon as proof that the region is too unstable.
3. Has the US responded to these comments?
The White House has not issued an immediate response. President Trump has previously stated that the blockade will remain until a deal is reached .
4. Is the ceasefire still in effect?
Yes. President Trump extended the ceasefire at Pakistan’s request. However, Bagheri Kani’s comments suggest that fundamental disagreements remain .
5. What is Israel’s role in this?
Iran points to Israel’s continued military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon as evidence of “warmongering across all fronts.” Tehran has insisted that the US-Iran ceasefire must also apply to Lebanon—a position Washington and Israel have rejected .
6. Could the strait be reopened as part of a deal?
Bagheri Kani’s statement suggests that Iran will not agree to reopen the strait unless the US lifts its blockade—a step the White House has rejected. The standoff remains unresolved .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking diplomatic, energy, and geopolitical intelligence. Subscribe for real-time updates on the US-Iran crisis, nuclear negotiations, and global security developments.