Ehsan Khandouzi, the former Iranian Economy Minister, has called for Iran to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that tankers and LNG cargoes should only transit the strategically vital waterway with Iranian permission. He proposed that this policy be implemented imminently for a period of one hundred days. It is unclear whether Khandouzi’s statement reflects an official plan being considered by the Iranian government or if it is simply his personal viewpoint. Historically, Tehran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz as a means of deterring Western pressures, though it has not previously acted on these threats.
The situation has escalated following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, prompted by concerns over the nation’s nuclear program, which Iran insists is intended solely for civilian use. In a post on social media, Khandouzi emphasized the urgency of this policy, suggesting that timely implementation is crucial. He warned that any delays could lead to a prolonged state of internal conflict within Iran. The Iranian government has not yet issued any comments regarding Khandouzi’s statements.
Khandouzi served as economy minister in the cabinet of former President Ebrahim Raisi until the summer of the previous year and is known to have strong ties to the hardline factions within the Iranian establishment. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is a critical passage for oil exports, particularly for Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait. Approximately 20% of global daily oil consumption, equating to around 18 million barrels, flows through this narrow channel, which is just about 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point.