WANA (Mar 14) – Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council, has taken a firm stance on regional security developments, stating that the Strait of Hormuz “will not reopen” and that a return to normal conditions in this strategic waterway depends on the fulfillment of specific conditions set by Iran.

 

He described the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf as the main source of instability over the past five decades, arguing that lasting security in the region cannot be achieved as long as American forces remain there.

 

Rezaei said that the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz should be managed by the countries of the region themselves. He specifically referred to Iran and Oman as the two nations that overlook both sides of the strait, emphasizing that meaningful stability would only be possible if control of the area were placed in the hands of regional actors.

 

According to him, the withdrawal of the United States from the Persian Gulf is not only a political demand but also a prerequisite for restoring security in the region.

 

The Expediency Council member also addressed the issue of ending the war, stating that the decision about when and how the conflict ends “lies with Iran.” He stressed that Tehran would only consider an end to the war once all damages inflicted by the United States have been fully compensated. This remark reflects a firm position from Tehran regarding any potential negotiations or ceasefire arrangements.

 

Rezaei added that the second condition for ending the war would be obtaining a “100 percent guarantee” to prevent similar threats or conflicts in the future. Such a guarantee, he argued, would not be possible without the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Persian Gulf. For this reason, he said, the departure of American forces has become a central condition alongside compensation for damages.

Strait of Hormuz. Social media/ WANA News Agency