Iran: Hormuz Strait 'never returns' to old state for US, Israel

Iran’s naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Sunday that “the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its former state, especially for the US and Israel,” in a post on X. The force declared that the strategic chokepoint is undergoing a permanent transformation as Tehran moves to reshape maritime security in the Persian Gulf, aiming to exclude what it considers hostile actors.

Operational Preparations Underway

The IRGC Navy stated it is in the final stages of readying its forces for what Iranian officials call a “new order for the Persian Gulf.” This comes as Iran’s parliament recently advanced a draft law in committee that would impose transit fees on ships passing through the strait. The proposed legislation requires payments in Iran’s rial currency, explicitly bans passage for US and Israeli vessels, and restricts countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Tehran. The draft also affirms Iranian sovereignty over the waterway and outlines cooperation with Oman on environmental and security matters.

Regional Escalation and Türkiye’s Concerns

The heightened posture follows the joint US‑Israeli air offensive against Iran that began on February 28, which has killed more than 1,340 people, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets, causing infrastructure damage and disrupting global aviation and energy markets. As a neighboring country heavily reliant on stable energy flows, Türkiye views any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as a direct threat to its economic security. Ankara continues to call for dialogue and restraint, warning that exclusionary policies and military escalation benefit no party in the region.