Iranian President Participates in Protests Amid Calls for Revenge; Parliament Considers Closing Hormuz Strait
Background of the Protests
Iran’s President Masoud Pashakian joined a demonstration in Tehran’s Revolution Square on Sunday, where participants chanted calls for “revenge” against the United States. This protest occurred shortly after reports indicated that the Iranian National Security Council would discuss the potential closure of the Hormuz Strait, a critical maritime route for global oil exports.
National Security Council’s Position
Revolutionary Guard Commander Ismail Kosari stated that the option to close the Hormuz Strait is being considered as action “is on the agenda.” Following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, tensions have escalated, prompting Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, to affirm that Iran possesses “various options for response.”
Ismail Bakaai, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, reiterated the nation’s determination to protect its sovereignty using any necessary means. He expressed that it is “clear that the American administration collaborates with a warmonger” to conduct what he characterized as an “unjust aggression” against Iran, allegedly violating fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
Importance of the Hormuz Strait
The Hormuz Strait serves as a vital artery for global oil transport, accounting for roughly start-third of all maritime oil shipments and start-fifth of global liquefied natural gas shipments. Industry experts consider it the most critical chokepoint for maritime oil transit, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Regional Reactions
Iranian-aligned Houthi officials in Yemen also vostartd their support for retaliating against U.S. actions, asserting their commitment to the freedom of maritime navigation while denying intentions to fully close the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political council, condemned American attacks as unjustified and pledged support for any Arab or Muslim nation facing aggression. He indicated that direct communications exist among resistance axis countries to coordinate operational responses as they await Tehran’s decision on a retaliatory response to the U.S. attacks.
Conclusion
As regional tensions heighten in response to U.S. military actions, the Iranian leadership’s rhetoric and the potential strategic implications of closing the Hormuz Strait signal a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The next steps from both Iranian officials and the U.S. will likely shape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East