Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's command, not CENTCOM's, and that a security meeting in Bahrain cannot create a new legal order in the Persian Gulf. He argued that regional security requires ending U.S. intervention and recognizing Iran's geopolitical reality.
Iran has pushed back against a planned U.S.-led security dialogue in Bahrain, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi asserting on Thursday that Tehran — not CENTCOM — commands the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks came in response to reports that U.S. Central Command intends to convene representatives from 12 countries in Bahrain for a regional security discussion.
Gharibabadi stated that the meeting "cannot create a new legal and security order in the Persian Gulf," and argued that genuine regional stability would only be achieved by ending American intervention, respecting the sovereignty of regional states, and acknowledging what he called the new geopolitical reality. The statement continues a pattern of Iranian officials reasserting control over the strategic waterway as the U.S. military maintains an active posture in the region.
The Zioneer previously reported on coordinated Iranian statements asserting exclusive management of the Strait of Hormuz and denying CENTCOM's role there (July 1), as well as CENTCOM's own assertion that Iran does not control the strait and that shipping continues normally (June 20). The exchange is part of an ongoing standoff in which Iran has threatened to close the strait and the U.S. has conducted kinetic operations across Iranian strategic infrastructure.
The claims from Gharibabadi, reported via an Iranian the source, have not been independently verified by Western or Israeli sources at this time. The planned Bahrain meeting has not yet been formally confirmed by CENTCOM.
2 developments
- DevelopingCENTCOM says Iran does not control Strait of Hormuz; shipping continues as normal
- ConfirmedIran deputy FM: no US talks this week, denies coordination with American visit to Qatar
- DevelopingIranian deputy foreign minister: Strait of Hormuz reopening is only partial
- StrongIran warns Oman it cannot guarantee Strait of Hormuz security without Tehran's approval, according to source
Source and signal
- Internal intake