Tehran: As West Asian flashpoints ignite into Gulf hostilities, the Iranian Navy has boldly declared the Strait of Hormuz irreversibly transformed, insisting it “will never return to its former state, especially for US, Israel.”
In a statement posted on X, the IRGC Navy’s command asserted that recent regional developments have forged a “new reality” where extra-regional powers, spearheaded by Washington, can no longer “dictate terms or project unchecked influence” in Iran’s proximate maritime zone, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported on Sunday.
Preparations are accelerating for the “announced plan” of Iranian leaders to impose a fresh paradigm in the Persian Gulf. This vision prioritizes a self-reliant security order, where bordering nations alone uphold peace and stability, unmarred by foreign interlopers.
Enhancements encompass intensified naval patrols, state-of-the-art surveillance networks, and swift, synchronized response protocols—all calibrated to defend sovereign Iranian seas and sustain unfettered energy shipments via the strait.
The declaration arrives as US President Donald Trump vows to “unleash ‘hell’ on Iran” if the chokehold persists. Tehran insists the waterway stays open to neutral traffic, explicitly barring only vessels connected to America, Israel, or their cohorts, Press TV reported.
With Trump’s ultimatum ticking down, backchannel talks offer a glimmer of de-escalation. Axios reported on Sunday (US time), quoting insiders, that Washington, Tehran, and assorted regional go-betweens are negotiating a 45-day truce framework. If realized, it might culminate in a definitive halt to hostilities.
