The naval command of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state, particularly for the United States and Israel. In a statement posted on its account on the X platform, the naval command said its forces are completing operational preparations to implement a plan approved by Iranian officials, aimed at establishing what it described as a “new order” in the Gulf.
The statement represents the most definitive declaration yet from Iranian military authorities that the pre-war status quo in the strait—through which approximately 20 percent of global oil passes—will not be restored, even if the current conflict ends. The reference to “particularly for the United States and Israel” suggests that other nations may be permitted to transit under different terms.
‘New Order’ in the Gulf
The phrase “new order in the Gulf” signals Iran’s intention to permanently alter the strategic balance in the region. For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been governed by international maritime law, with the US Navy ensuring freedom of navigation. Iran’s declaration suggests that Tehran intends to replace that framework with its own system of control, including requirements for permits, licenses, and potentially transit fees.
The Revolutionary Guards’ naval command stated that its forces are “completing operational preparations” to implement a plan approved by Iranian officials. This language indicates that the shift in the strait’s status is not merely rhetorical but is being operationalized, with specific measures being prepared for implementation.
Compensation and New Legal System
Earlier, Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy head of the Iranian president’s office for communications and media, said that fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be conditional on compensation for all damages caused by what he described as the imposed war, noting that this would be carried out under a new legal system partly based on transit revenues.
This statement links the reopening of the strait to financial compensation for war damages—a demand Iran has previously included in its five conditions for ending the conflict. The reference to a “new legal system partly based on transit revenues” suggests that Iran may seek to establish a tolling system for ships transiting the strait, similar to the fees collected by other countries for passage through strategic waterways.
Trump Ignited ‘Full-Scale War’
Tabatabaei also said that Trump had “recklessly ignited a full-scale war in the region and continues to boast about it.” He added on his account on X on Sunday that Trump had resorted to insults and “nonsense out of desperation and intense anger.”
The characterization of the conflict as a “full-scale war” reflects Iran’s framing of the US-Israeli military campaign. By describing Trump’s actions as reckless, Iranian officials are appealing to international public opinion, including in the United States, where war fatigue is growing.
The Strategic Importance of the Strait
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. In peacetime, approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits through the strait, making it one of the most strategically important maritime chokepoints in the world.
Iran’s effective closure of the strait since early March has driven global oil prices above $100 a barrel, disrupted supply chains, and contributed to inflationary pressures worldwide. The longer the closure continues, the more severe the economic consequences.
International Response
The United States has led efforts to reopen the strait, with the Pentagon deploying thousands of additional troops to the region and preparing options for ground operations. However, European allies have been reluctant to commit military forces, insisting that a ceasefire and diplomatic engagement are prerequisites for any military action.
Britain chaired a virtual meeting of some 40 countries last week to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation, but no specific agreement was reached. The UAE has reportedly been preparing to support US-led efforts to reopen the strait by force, including mine-clearing operations.
A Permanent Shift
Iran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz will “never return to its previous state” represents a fundamental challenge to the post-World War II international order. For decades, the US has guaranteed freedom of navigation through the strait, backed by the presence of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. If Iran succeeds in establishing a new legal system governing transit, it would represent a significant shift in the balance of power in the Gulf.
The demand for compensation for war damages as a condition for reopening the strait links the fate of global energy supplies to Iran’s political and economic demands. By tying the strait’s status to financial compensation, Iran is signaling that it will not simply return to the pre-war status quo without receiving something in return.
The operational preparations being completed by the Revolutionary Guards suggest that Iran is preparing to enforce its new order militarily. Any attempt by the US or its allies to transit the strait without Iran’s permission could lead to direct confrontation.
For the global economy, the implications are profound. If the strait remains closed or operates under Iranian control indefinitely, the cost of energy will remain elevated, with cascading effects on inflation, growth, and geopolitical stability. For the United States, the challenge is existential: accepting Iranian control of the strait would be a strategic defeat; attempting to reopen it by force risks a wider war.
As the conflict enters its seventh week, Iran has made its position clear: the strait will never return to its previous state. The question now is whether the US and its allies will accept this new reality or attempt to change it by force.
