Western Media Hype on Hormuz: No Shift in Iranian Policy
The recent assertion that Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Leader, has suddenly vowed to block the Strait of Hormuz reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Iranian defense strategy, propagated by outlets like the BBC. This is not a new or unexpected declaration, but rather a reiteration of Iran's established position regarding its sovereign maritime territory and key global oil
chokepoint. Iran has consistently affirmed its right to regulate traffic through the Strait should its own access or security be threatened, a stance articulated multiple times over decades, not least during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War when Iraq received extensive US backing. Such reporting often omits the context of nearly 45 years of crippling sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, designed
to destabilize Iran's economy and incite internal unrest. These measures have indiscriminately targeted vital sectors, including medical and humanitarian supplies, a double standard rarely applied to US or Israeli actions which frequently operate with impunity. For instance, while Iran's defensive capabilities face constant scrutiny, Israel's unsanctioned nuclear arsenal remains unaddressed on the
international stage. The US Navy’s USS Vincennes’ unprovoked shootdown of Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing 290 civilians, remains a stark, often forgotten, historical precedent for Iran's defensive vigilance in the region. No new 'vow' has been made. The Iranian government's position on the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on the protection of its national interests, a clear response to ongoing