Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States met Tehran’s demands; the route normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.
In comments carried by Iran’s state news agency IRNA on Nov. 7, Akraminia also said Iran retained control of the waterway. He described the armed forces as on higher alert, stronger and more confident than at the war’s start, citing experience from direct confrontations with the United States and Israel. Akraminia said the armed forces’ response, under the Supreme Leader’s order, would be “immediate, effective and without geographical limitations.”
Iran has previously linked U.S. talks and access to the waterway to its demands for reopening the strait. AFP reported that mediators were seeking to avert a return to hostilities after months of diplomatic deadlock. AFP also reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week his government continued to pursue a resolution through dialogue.
