Iranian Navy Commander: The Strait of Hormuz Is Part of Our Strategic Geography

The commander of the Iranian army’s naval forces, Shahram Irani, said on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz was “part of Iran’s strategic geography”.

According to local media, Irani stressed that his country would not relinquish control of the strait. He described Hormuz as “a source of our strength” and a central pillar in safeguarding Iran’s security and interests.

Last week, Iran submitted a proposal to the United States calling for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened and negotiations to resume to reach a “final agreement”. US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal immediately.

Earlier this week, Trump said he expected talks with Iran to continue despite rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal to reopen the strait.

Iran presented the diplomatic initiative during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying it had been conveyed to the United States through Qatari mediators. According to Tehran, the plan could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to hostilities in the region within seven days.

An official familiar with the talks between Washington and Tehran said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators in Doha on Tuesday evening.

Araghchi reportedly received the US response to a proposed seven-day confidence-building plan, which he was expected to discuss in Tehran on Wednesday.