Russia’s Medvedev says Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s ‘nuclear weapon’

Dmitry Medvedev, a prominent Russian official, has drawn a stark parallel between Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and the power of a nuclear weapon. Medvedev, who serves as the deputy chairman of Russia's security council, articulated this view in a video shared on social media.

His remarks came as he was returning from Iran to attend the funeral of the nation's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The statement underscores the critical strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil transit, and suggests Iran possesses considerable leverage through its ability to influence or disrupt maritime traffic.

Medvedev's comparison frames Iran's potential actions in the strait as a weapon of mass disruption, akin to nuclear capabilities. This framing emphasizes the geopolitical weight of the waterway and Iran's role within the regional power dynamics.

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Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is equivalent to possession of a nuclear weapon.