Key facts
- Iran's Mohsen Rezaee stated the Strait of Hormuz is more important than dozens of atomic bombs.
- Rezaee asserted Iran will protect the passage using its defense capabilities and national strength.
- India condemned recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The US Central Command completed a third round of strikes against Iran for attacking a commercial ship.
- Iran's state media reported the Strait of Hormuz was closed until further notice following an incident.
- Iranian officials reportedly told US President Donald Trump's advisers that recent attacks were an error.
An adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Mohsen Rezaee, has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is more critical than nuclear weapons, emphasizing Iran's resolve to protect the strategic passage. Rezaee was quoted by ISNA news agency saying, "This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it." He added that Hormuz serves as a strategic deterrent and that Iran will safeguard its interests and security through its defense capabilities and national strength, according to Tasnim news agency.
These remarks come amidst escalating tensions and recent incidents involving commercial shipping in the vital waterway. India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, calling for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution, noting that 10 out of 11 Indian nationals on a recently attacked vessel had been rescued.
The US Central Command announced it had completed a third round of strikes against Iran, holding the country accountable for attacking another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar also reported intercepting a missile attack. Iran's state media announced that Tehran had closed the Strait of Hormuz "until further notice" after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to transit an "unauthorised route."
Iranian officials have reportedly informed advisers to US President Donald Trump privately that the recent attacks on commercial vessels were an error, attributing them to a faction seeking to undermine US-Iran negotiations. The White House is seeking a public acknowledgment of the mistake from Iran. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with his Omani counterpart, Seyyed Badr Al-Busaidi, in Muscat, discussing bilateral relations, regional developments, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.