A senior Iranian lawmaker says whether the United States chooses military escalation or negotiations, the arrangement set by the Islamic Republic for passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains the “only option on the table.”
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the Parliament’s Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, made the remark Saturday on his X account.
His post came amid heightened US rhetoric and threats against Iran. Western media report the US is preparing another round of aggression, possibly against Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The lawmaker said the United States was speaking of escalation in the media while seeking negotiations with Iran through existing channels, dismissing Washington’s dual-track approach as a deception that will fail to succeed in the face of the Islamic Republic.
“They cannot deceive the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Ghashghavi wrote.
In the media, they speak of escalation, while through existing channels they demand negotiations.
They cannot deceive the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Whether by escalating or by negotiating, Iranian arrangement for passage through the #SoH is the only option on the table.— Hasan Ghashghavi (@HGhashghavi) August 1, 2026
The lawmaker affirmed that Iran’s firm stance on the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, remains unchanged.
Iran’s arrangement for passage through the strategic waterway is the only available option, he emphasized.
“Whether by escalating or by negotiating, Iranian arrangement for passage through the #SoH is the only option on the table,” Ghashghavi said.
Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June to end the cycle arising from the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, which had begun on February 28.
Under the understanding, Iran agreed to allow fee-free maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 60 days.
In compliance with the MoU, the Islamic Republic devised a special maritime route for vessels to cross the chokepoint, warning vessels against using illegal routes.
However, the US attempted to undermine Iran’s sovereignty by establishing an unsafe corridor near the Omani shores.
The unlawful US measure prompted Iran’s firm response to re-impose restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says any movement in the strategic chokepoint must be conducted under Iranian arrangements, as per the understanding.
On Friday, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, warned that continued warmongering on the part of the United States will tighten the closure that the country has imposed on the Strait of Hormuz.
“The continuation of the US regime’s maritime blockade and warmongering will further tighten the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and also close other straits and chokepoints, and the global economy, energy markets, and American voters will pay the price,” he said.
