Iranian army chief: Strait of Hormuz will not return to previous status
Iran’s army chief says Tehran will defend its position in the Strait of Hormuz at any cost, stressing the waterway’s strategic importance.
Key Takeaways
AIIranian Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami said his country will defend its position in the Strait of Hormuz with all its strength, "whatever the cost."
In remarks broadcast by Iranian television today, Hatami stated that Tehran has long understood the significance of the Strait of Hormuz, but "it was only this war that activated" this strategic card.
Hatami described the activation of the Strait of Hormuz as "one of the legacies left by the American president," stressing that the strait will not return to its pre-war status.
The Iranian army chief said the Strait of Hormuz is a geopolitical advantage granted by God to the Iranian people, highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway as a major route for global energy and trade.
Hatami’s comments come amid ongoing disputes over the future of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have previously stated that the return of shipping to its previous state depends on the lifting of the US naval blockade and changes to the conditions imposed by the conflict.
Iran’s Fars news agency also quoted Major General Amir Hatami as saying that any Iranian who "captures or kills" a US soldier, described as an "aggressor," will receive a $30,000 reward.
According to the agency, the army chief said this reward would be provided by "the Iranian people."