The Iranian government said the future status of the Strait of Hormuz depends on whether relations with the U.S. move toward confrontation or agreement [1].
Control of this strategic waterway serves as critical leverage for Tehran. Because the strait is a primary artery for global energy shipments, any Iranian restriction on transit could destabilize international oil markets and increase geopolitical pressure on Washington.
During May 2026, Tehran outlined five conditions for negotiating with the U.S. [1]. The Iranian government said that the opening of the strait is tied to the outcome of these diplomatic talks or the continuation of a confrontational path [1].
However, contradictory views exist regarding the specifics of potential deals. On May 23, 2026, Donald Trump said a draft agreement between the two nations includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz [3].
Iranian military officials have offered a different perspective. An Iranian military spokesperson said on May 24, 2026, "We will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz even if an agreement is reached" [2].
This discrepancy highlights a fundamental gap in the negotiations. While the U.S. side suggests that the waterway's accessibility is a primary component of a settlement, the Iranian military said that operational control remains a non-negotiable security interest [2], [3].
Tehran continues to use the waterway as a tool to ensure its security interests, linking the physical accessibility of the strait to the broader political trajectory of the bilateral relationship [1].
“We will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz even if an agreement is reached”
The tension between Donald Trump's claims of a draft agreement and the Iranian military's insistence on continued control suggests that the Strait of Hormuz is being used as a primary bargaining chip. If Iran maintains control despite a diplomatic deal, it indicates that Tehran views the waterway not just as a diplomatic concession, but as a permanent strategic asset for national security.
