Iran's Revolutionary Guards Demand Exclusive Control Over Strait of Hormuz or Threaten Closure

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a stark warning to the United States through intermediaries, demanding guarantees for exclusive control over the Strait of Hormuz. They threaten to close the strategic waterway immediately if their demands are not met, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The military command insists that the US and other countries halt plans to operate vessels in the southern parts of the strait near Oman.

This hardline stance reveals a fierce internal power struggle in Tehran that risks undermining the preliminary peace agreement signed with the US in mid-June. While the civilian government led by President Masoud Pezeshkian seeks a moderate approach to secure sanctions relief and release billions in frozen assets, the military faction focuses on demonstrating regional strength. The Revolutionary Guards aim to establish a maritime toll system in the strait, potentially generating around $40 billion annually, viewing control over Hormuz as a critical leverage point in negotiations and internal power dynamics.

These ambitions conflict with President Pezeshkian's efforts to bring foreign currency into Iran to mitigate war and sanctions damage. The civilian negotiation team is concentrating on freeing $6 billion of Iran's $12 billion frozen assets held in Qatar, a move confirmed by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. This contradicts former US President Donald Trump's claim that no funds would be released directly to Iran but would instead be managed by the US for humanitarian aid purchases.

Tensions have already escalated militarily after a ship carrying Qatari oil was attacked in Omani waters last week, signaling the military's willingness to jeopardize talks. The US responded by bombing Iranian naval facilities. Consequently, maritime traffic through the strait has plummeted from 75 vessels last Wednesday to just 22 on Sunday.

Conservative religious authorities back the military's position, with Iran's Assembly of Experts declaring that reopening the strait contradicts officials' duties unless Israel restrains its actions in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian claims the peace deal has Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's approval. The ongoing crisis highlights unresolved issues and US conditions tying the release of Iranian funds to keeping shipping lanes open. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Doha to discuss implementation with mediators, with Iranian representatives expected to join later this week. Analysts note the paradox that Iran might receive funds for reopening a strait that was already accessible before the war, while nuclear issues and sanctions remain unresolved.