Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Russia and China will continue to receive special treatment in the Strait of Hormuz [1].
This strategic move signals Tehran's intent to maintain strong ties with Moscow and Beijing while resisting diplomatic pressures from the United States. By guaranteeing favorable conditions for these powers, Iran reinforces a geopolitical bloc that challenges Western influence over the critical oil chokepoint.
Azizi said that Russia and China will continue to receive "special treatment" and favorable conditions regarding passage through the strategic waterway [1]. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary maritime link between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, making it one of the most important transit points for global energy supplies.
The announcement comes amid attempts by Donald Trump to secure a peace agreement with Tehran. The preferential access granted to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping acts as a red line against these U.S. peace efforts, suggesting that Iran will not compromise its strategic partnerships for a deal with Washington [1].
By leveraging its control over the waterway, Iran aims to ensure that its primary economic and military allies face no friction in their maritime logistics. This policy ensures that the flow of goods and energy between Iran, Russia, and China remains uninterrupted regardless of the diplomatic climate between the U.S. and Iran [1].
“Russia and China will continue to receive "special treatment" and favorable conditions regarding passage through the strategic waterway.”
Iran's decision to formalize 'special treatment' for Russia and China transforms the Strait of Hormuz from a neutral international waterway into a tool of geopolitical leverage. By creating a tiered system of access, Tehran is effectively insulating its economy and security apparatus from U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure, signaling that any future agreement with Washington will not come at the expense of its 'Eastward' pivot.
