Iranian Official Says Strait of Hormuz More Valuable Than Dozens of Nuclear Bombs

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, declared that the Strait of Hormuz holds greater strategic importance for Iran than its nuclear program. Speaking on Sunday, Rezaei emphasized that control over the strait is "more important than dozens of nuclear bombs," and vowed that the Islamic Republic would defend it at all costs. This statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a critical maritime chokepoint.

According to recent assessments, Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue by imposing transit fees on ships passing through, an amount surpassing the total value of international sanctions and frozen assets currently imposed on Iran. This economic leverage underscores the strait's significance beyond its military and geopolitical value.

Despite Iran's announcement of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz overnight, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the strait remains open via the Omani-controlled side. However, the number of vessels crossing has sharply declined due to restrictions on passage through the eastern side controlled by the Revolutionary Guards and fears of attacks similar to a recent incident. The situation highlights ongoing instability and the strategic contest over this vital waterway.