Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has reaffirmed Tehran’s intention to control the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on social media X on the occasion of National Gulf Day, Qalibaf said that “by exercising control over the Strait of Hormuz, [Iran] will provide itself and its neighbours with the precious blessing of a future free from America’s presence and interference.”
National Gulf Day marks the anniversary of a historic military victory in 1622 when Safavid Empire forces drove the Portuguese out of the Strait of Hormuz.
“After 115 years of occupation, we expelled European colonisers from the Persian Gulf and we celebrate Gulf Day in honour of this victory,” Qalibaf said.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for the world’s oil and gas supplies, to most international ships, while the U.S. Navy stops Iranian ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
There have been reports that the US is considering a new Iranian proposal to end the war, in which Tehran would open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.