Iran Lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi: Tehran Will Never Give Up Hormuz

Published: 20 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a defiant interview with the BBC in Tehran today, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, declared that Iran will “never” cede control of the Strait of Hormuz. The former Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) commander characterized Iranian authority over the world’s most critical energy chokepoint as an “inalienable right,” effectively quashing hopes for a swift diplomatic reopening of the waterway without massive concessions. Azizi’s comments come at a precarious moment for global markets, as the brief “ceasefire opening” of the strait seen last week has been abruptly reversed by the IRGC.

“Iran will decide the right of passage,” Azizi told the BBC, dismissing international law that defines the strait as an international waterway. “We will grant permissions for vessels to pass based on our own security protocols and the behavior of foreign powers.” His rhetoric clarifies the IRGC’s recent shift toward a “protection racket” model, where priority transit is reportedly offered only to vessels that pay exorbitant “security fees”—estimated by maritime analysts to be as high as $2 million USD per transit. Those who refuse to pay or belong to “hostile nations” face indefinite delays or being turned back by Iranian gunboats.

The declaration serves as a sharp rebuke to the “Islamabad Process,” the ongoing U.S.-mediated negotiations in Pakistan. While moderate factions within the Iranian government, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have signaled a willingness to trade maritime access for sanctions relief, Azizi’s stance suggests a deep schism within Tehran. Hardline figures and the IRGC leadership appear to be operating under a “martial law” mindset, viewing the strait not just as a shipping lane, but as their primary instrument of strategic coercion against the West.

The impact on the global energy system has been immediate and severe. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that the blockade of Iranian ports is “completely open,” the reality on the water is a chaotic standoff.

Event / Statistic	Status as of Monday, April 20, 2026
Passage Status	Strict Control: IRGC approval required for all transits.
LNG Shipments	Zero: No LNG tankers have exited the strait since February.
Security Fees	$1.5M – $2M: Reported daily “toll” for priority passage.
US Navy Activity	Mine-Clearing: Ongoing operations using submersible drones.

The “Hormuz Toll” has already sent oil and gas prices into a volatile tailspin. Bloomberg reported today that at least five liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers reversed course after receiving direct warnings from Iranian authorities. For President Trump, the crisis has become a political “double-edged sword.” While he has maintained a strict naval blockade of Iranian ports, the IRGC’s counter-blockade of the strait has exposed the vulnerability of the global economy, putting immense pressure on Washington to secure a “100% complete” deal during the upcoming high-level talks in Islamabad.

As U.S. Vice President JD Vance prepares to lead a delegation to Pakistan tomorrow, Azizi’s “Never” remains the most significant hurdle to peace. By framing the control of the strait as a matter of national sovereignty rather than a bargaining chip, the IRGC has signaled it is prepared to strangle global energy supplies indefinitely to achieve its goals. For the world’s shipping fleets, the message from Tehran is clear: the Strait of Hormuz is no longer a free sea, but a layered arena of “irregular warfare” where the rules are written by the IRGC.

Check out Our Latest News