Hardline Iranian Outlet Says Hormuz Closure Should Remain US Forces Leave Region

A prominent hardline Iranian newspaper, Kayhan, has asserted that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed until all U.S. forces are expelled from the region, reflecting significant opposition within Iran's conservative circles to any deal that might reopen the crucial waterway. The newspaper's front-page article, titled "We Closed the Strait With Power; We Will Not Open It With Diplomacy," cautioned against negotiating the waterway's reopening with Washington.

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We Closed the Strait With Power; We Will Not Open It With Diplomacy

Kayhan's message to Iranian diplomats is unequivocal: the strategic passage must not be reopened until the United States withdraws its military presence and accepts the Supreme Leader's conditions. The paper described the Strait of Hormuz as "the strategic lock of our power," emphasizing that its closure was achieved through Iran's actions and should not be undone by "the false diplomacy of an American agreement."

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The Strait of Hormuz is the strategic lock of our power

The article further urged Iran to resist U.S. pressure and reject what it termed Washington's "cycles of deception," citing perceived weakness and economic decline in the United States. Kayhan maintained that Iran should preserve its leverage until the "complete expulsion" of U.S. forces and full acceptance of its demands. The newspaper warned that reopening the strait could enable renewed military operations and targeted attacks by the U.S. and its allies, positioning the waterway as a critical bargaining chip.

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the false diplomacy of an American agreement

These comments underscore the internal disagreements within Iran concerning ongoing negotiations with the United States. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route, remains a central point of contention in these diplomatic discussions, with hardliners advocating for a maximalist approach.

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complete expulsion