Iran Considers Formalizing Control of Strait of Hormuz as Deterrence

Iranian officials have elevated control of the Strait of Hormuz above the nuclear program as their top strategic priority, according to two senior Iranian sources. The shift follows last month's interim deal that ended recent conflict and opened the strait to more traffic.

" Iranian negotiators read that language as acceptance of their authority to manage the waterway. The United States and Gulf states reject that reading and see the clause as requiring only facilitation of safe passage without force.

Ships passing the strait without Iranian approval were fired upon this week, triggering an exchange of fire with the United States. The incident threatens the interim peace deal signed last month. Iranian leaders had previously treated closure of the strait as a last resort due to risks of international isolation and economic damage.

After attacks on February 28 killed senior officials, they closed the waterway to all traffic except their own, causing the largest disruption to global energy supplies in history.

The costs of the blockade eventually prompted both sides to negotiate. Iranian officials now believe they must formalize the ability to restrict passage as leverage.

“The issue of Hormuz, which is Iran's golden weapon, is something they now want to take away from Iran, and that will be absolutely impossible.”

Iran has refused to begin nuclear talks until the United States accepts Iran's full management of the strait. Negotiations on the nuclear program were moved to future discussions in the interim agreement. Officials in Tehran see the nuclear file as settled on the question of uranium enrichment rights.