Iran’s leadership has indicated it intends to preserve the option of closing the Strait of Hormuz in order to exert strategic pressure on its adversaries, while also warning that new and unexpected fronts in the conflict could emerge.
Iran considers the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz a key strategic lever in confronting its opponents, according to a statement attributed to the country’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and broadcast by Iran’s state media.
“Maintaining the option of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must undoubtedly remain on the table,” the statement said.
Khamenei also noted that studies are currently under way into opening additional fronts where Iran’s adversaries have limited experience and would be “extremely vulnerable.”
“The activation of such fronts will depend on the continuation of the war and will take into account the interests of all sides,” he added.
The remarks follow comments made on Wednesday by Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who said that any vessel seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would need authorisation from Iranian authorities.
Meanwhile, Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the IRGC commander, warned that any ship attempting to transit the strait without permission would be destroyed. He added that Iran would also be prepared, if necessary, to strike oil pipelines across the Middle East and disrupt the region’s oil exports.
