Iran’s supreme leader decrees Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions

Iranian officials have issued strong statements regarding the future of the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a tougher stance on control of the strategic waterway following recent regional tensions.

Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has directed that the Strait of Hormuz should not return to its pre-war status, according to Iranian media reports. The remarks reflect what lawmakers describe as a shift toward tighter control over one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.

Separately, Iranian lawmaker Behnam Saeedi said Tehran has prepared a comprehensive framework for managing maritime traffic through the Strait. He stated that all vessels passing through the area would be required to obtain Iranian authorization, adding that control of the passage would remain entirely under Iranian authority. He also warned that Israeli-linked vessels would be barred from transiting the waterway.

In parallel diplomatic developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has completed a visit to Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator in regional diplomatic efforts involving Iran and the United States. In a statement on social media platform X, Araghchi described the trip as “very fruitful” and thanked Pakistan for its “good offices and brotherly efforts” toward regional peace.

He said he presented Iran’s position on a framework aimed at ending ongoing tensions, while noting uncertainty over Washington’s commitment to diplomacy. Following his departure, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a planned visit to Pakistan by senior U.S. envoys had been canceled.