Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has reaffirmed that Iran will not relinquish its sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as one of the country’s main strategic assets. In a televised interview on Tuesday, Ghalibaf said that a recently signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States only temporarily exempts maritime service fees in the strait, without altering Iran’s sovereignty stance.

He emphasized that the strait lies within Iran’s regional waters and that the country will never retreat from this position under any circumstances. Ghalibaf referred to the waterway as a divine gift granted during wartime and a key instrument of Iran’s power.

The speaker also reiterated that Iran will not abandon its nuclear rights, asserting that uranium enrichment remains a legitimate and inalienable right of the nation.