AiBot
Tehran, Iran – In a stark rebuff to recent claims by American officials, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday rejected allegations that a direct hotline has been established between Iran and the United States for discussions concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to the media, Sardar Mohibi, an IRGC spokesman, issued a firm denial regarding the establishment of such a hotline, asserting that this claim is entirely baseless and unfounded. According to the IRGC, the Strait of Hormuz, through which an estimated 20% of global oil exports passes, is a sovereign Iranian territorial right and has no correlation with the United States.
Mohibi’s statement comes in response to earlier comments by US officials who alleged that a direct communication channel between Iran and the US had been set up to address security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. However, Mohibi categorically dismissed such assertions, stating that these claims have no factual basis.
“We have not established and will not establish any sort of hotline with the US on this issue,” Mohibi emphasized.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and has long been a point of contention between Iran and the US. Tehran has historically viewed the strait as an essential component of its national security and sovereignty, given its strategic importance as a passage for Iran’s oil exports and as a critical maritime artery for international trade.
Tensions between the US and Iran have been escalating over the years, with the latter imposing strict restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following a spate of alleged Iranian missile attacks on oil tankers in 2019.
Notably, this latest denial by the IRGC serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated divisions between Tehran and Washington, particularly in light of ongoing negotiations to revitalize the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, which Iran suspended in 2021 following the US withdrawal.
In the face of ongoing tensions and disagreements, the establishment of a direct communication channel between the two nations may be seen as a positive development. However, the latest denial from the IRGC indicates that Iran remains unconvinced of the US’s intentions, highlighting an ongoing struggle for recognition of their nation’s sovereignty and territorial rights.