Major General Seyyed Yahya Safavi, assistant and senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, emphasized the importance of Iran's sovereignty and management over this region at the scientific-specialized meeting "Geographical Requirements Affecting the Defensive Strategy of the Strait of Hormuz." He stated that the Strait of Hormuz is an inseparable part of Iran's territorial waters, and this right is not only a political claim but also a legitimate legal and geographical right.
Right of Sovereignty and National Security
Major General Safavi added: "Iran does not seek to escalate tensions; however, it is also powerful in exercising its sovereignty." He pointed out that in a situation where the Strait of Hormuz becomes a conduit for military equipment targeting Iran's national security, managing and restricting traffic in this area is not only a right but also a strategic duty of Iran's armed forces.
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Global Dependence on the Strait of Hormuz
He rejected the hypothesis of the declining importance of the Strait of Hormuz due to the construction of pipelines or alternative routes, stating that this strait is a strategic chokepoint in the global energy network. According to him, the world's dependence on this passage is a structural dependence, and its importance in today's volatile global market is even greater than before, as more than 20% of the world's oil and energy flows through this chokepoint.
Major General Safavi emphasized the distinction between "closing the strait" and "managing the strait," stating that Iran's main strategy is the intelligent management of the Strait of Hormuz against the American naval blockade. He added: "Managing this strait transforms this chokepoint into a route for lifting maritime sanctions and achieving lasting peace and security in the region with the participation of neighboring countries."
He concluded by emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz is not only an inseparable part of Iran's territorial waters but also that its management should be considered a strategic priority to maintain the national security of the country and the dear people of Iran.
The scientific-specialized meeting "Geographical Requirements Affecting the Defensive Strategy of the Strait of Hormuz" was held by the Strategic Geography Research Group of the Sacred Defense Research Institute with the presence of a number of defense, legal, and geopolitical elites.
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