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A senior Iranian lawmaker and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander who heads parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee told the BBC in Tehran that Iran will "never" give up control of the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as "one of our assets to face the enemy."
He announced that legislation was being introduced in parliament to formally enshrine Iran's authority over the waterway.
Azizi was unequivocal when asked whether Iran would ever relinquish control of the Strait.
"Never. It's our inalienable right. Iran will decide the right of passage, including permissions for vessels to pass through the Strait," he told the BBC.
He announced that Iran was formalizing this position legislatively.
"We are introducing a bill in parliament, based on article 110 of the constitution, which includes the environment, maritime safety and national security, and the armed forces will implement the law," he said.
University of Tehran research fellow Mohammad Eslami, who also spoke to the BBC, explained the broader strategic logic Azizi's position reflects.
"The first priority for Iran after the war is to restore deterrence and the Strait of Hormuz is among Iran's principal strategic leverages. Tehran is open to discussing how other nations can benefit from Iran's new framework for the strait, but control is the bottom line," Eslami said.
Azizi himself described Iran's newfound Hormuz control as "one of our assets to face the enemy," framing the war as having handed Tehran a new and durable weapon that it intends to retain beyond any ceasefire or agreement.
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