Capable hands still control the Hormuz Strait. A senior Iranian official repeated this message on Sunday. These capable hands will protect national security. They will also push out foreign forces. That warning came directly from Ali Akbar Velayati. He serves as a top advisor to Iran’s leader. His words carry significant weight in Tehran. Therefore markets should pay close attention.
Ali Akbar Velayati made the statement on social media. He advises Iran’s supreme leader on foreign policy. Velayati argued the strait’s security remains Iran’s duty. He said this defends the country from outsiders. He also linked today’s position to past diplomacy. Old treaties from Erzurum to Islamabad prove this. All those efforts aimed to protect Iran’s borders.
The comments followed failed nuclear talks with the United States. Those negotiations took place in Islamabad, Pakistan. They lasted 21 hours without any deal. Consequently tensions have risen again. Moreover both sides left the table frustrated. Neither delegation achieved its main goals. Therefore diplomatic progress now looks unlikely. The failure also hardened Iran’s position significantly.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf also spoke on Sunday. He confirmed Washington failed to gain Tehran’s trust. The Iranian team proposed future-focused ideas. However the US side did not convince them. Therefore Qalibaf promised to build on Iran’s wartime gains. Those gains came from a 40-day national defense.
This defense happened after a short war. The U.S. and Israel led that aggression against Iran. The war paused when the U.S. accepted a permanent ceasefire. Iran proposed that ceasefire directly. During the conflict Iran launched 100 retaliatory strikes. Those strikes hit American and Israeli military targets. Furthermore the strikes succeeded across the region.
Iran also blocked the Hormuz Strait at that time. The blockade targeted enemy oil tankers. It also hit ships from cooperating nations. Iran wanted to keep the waterway secure. For this reason Velayati says the strait’s key remains in capable hands. He compared it to another historic Iranian strait. That older strait also repelled foreign intruders.
The Hormuz Strait is a vital global oil route. Nearly 20% of world oil passes through it. Any disruption raises energy prices sharply. Thus Iran’s claim matters to global markets. Many companies watch this situation closely. Oil traders and shipping firms face new risks. For instance insurance costs for tankers could rise again.
Experts see the failed talks as a turning point. The U.S. wanted limits on Iran’s nuclear work. Iran wanted full sanctions lifted. Neither side moved enough in Islamabad. As a result military options may gain new attention. Iran’s leaders now emphasize local defense more. They show less interest in Western deals.
Future talks remain uncertain at this stage. Iran says it will not beg for negotiations. Similarly the U.S. has not announced a new meeting date. Meanwhile Iran continues military drills near the strait. It also tests new naval drones and missiles. These moves signal lasting control over the waterway.
Capable hands remain Iran’s chosen guardians. The strait’s key will not pass to foreign powers. This position shapes both regional politics and global oil flows. Consequently businesses should plan for prolonged tensions. The next months will show if diplomacy resumes. For now Tehran holds all the cards near Hormuz.