Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei raised unusual questions about the nuclear non-proliferation framework during a national television broadcast. He openly questioned why Iran should refrain from developing a nuclear deterrence capability. His statements came amid escalating economic pressure and military threats from the United States. Rezaei argued that international treaties had failed to protect Iran from aggressive external military action. Consequently, he suggested that global compliance mechanisms no longer guarantee national security.
The senior official stressed that foreign aggression could drive non-nuclear states toward acquiring atomic weapons. He noted that Iran had fulfilled its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for decades. Furthermore, Tehran had granted extensive access to international inspectors while facing continuous foreign pressure and aggression. Rezaei argued that international observers increasingly view traditional non-proliferation agreements as ineffective. Therefore, he suggested that foreign strategic pressure could incentivize nations to pursue nuclear capabilities for self-defense.
In addition to his nuclear policy remarks, Rezaei issued severe maritime warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He declared that Iran would prevent all oil exports if foreign states joined what he described as American economic warfare. He asserted that not a single drop of crude oil would pass through the strategic waterway. However, the security official acknowledged ongoing diplomatic negotiations with neighboring Oman regarding regional maritime transit. Meanwhile, he warned that military assets attempting to patrol southern shipping channels would face immediate targeting.
Rezaei signaled potential changes in how Iran could conduct future diplomatic and military operations. He accused Washington of shifting toward economic blockades after suffering what he described as military setbacks in the region. Furthermore, he emphasized that Iranian forces would apply tactical lessons learned over the past year. International energy markets remain highly sensitive to developments involving the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran prepares for prolonged economic pressure. Ultimately, Rezaei’s remarks on nuclear policy and the Strait of Hormuz reflect a significant escalation in Iran’s stated defense posture.