TEHRAN — A senior Iranian lawmaker said Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war conditions amid ongoing Iranian restrictions on maritime traffic and a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.Ali Nikzad said Tehran would not restore the waterway to its previous status, according to remarks carried by Mehr News Agency.“We will by no means return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state,” Nikzad said, adding that the decision was based on orders from Iran’s leadership.He also criticized recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.Since hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated on Feb. 28, Tehran has maintained tight control over shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.A U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports began on April 13, adding pressure to global supply chains and energy markets, particularly across Asia.Washington and Tehran held talks in Islamabad two weeks ago but failed to secure an agreement to end the conflict.Those negotiations followed a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, which was later extended by Trump.Diplomatic efforts for another round of talks are continuing, though major sticking points reportedly include the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports, and Tehran’s enriched uranium program.TEHRAN — A senior Iranian lawmaker said Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war conditions amid ongoing Iranian restrictions on maritime traffic and a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.Ali Nikzad said Tehran would not restore the waterway to its previous status, according to remarks carried by Mehr News Agency.“We will by no means return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state,” Nikzad said, adding that the decision was based on orders from Iran’s leadership.He also criticized recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.Since hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated on Feb. 28, Tehran has maintained tight control over shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.A U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports began on April 13, adding pressure to global supply chains and energy markets, particularly across Asia.Washington and Tehran held talks in Islamabad two weeks ago but failed to secure an agreement to end the conflict.Those negotiations followed a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, which was later extended by Trump.Diplomatic efforts for another round of talks are continuing, though major sticking points reportedly include the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports, and Tehran’s enriched uranium program.
