Iran Threatens Prolonged Hormuz Closure Until Trump and Netanyahu Are Out of Power

Iran Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed Until Trump, Netanyahu Leave Power

Tehran, September 17, 2026: A political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has said that Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are no longer in power, framing the continued closure as part of Tehran’s retaliation in the ongoing conflict.

Mohammad-Bagher Zolghadr said Iran’s forces would not reopen the strategic waterway until Trump and Netanyahu were “brought down from power.” His remarks were reported by Iran International and separately by Iran’s WANA news agency. 

Zolghadr described the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the first stage of Iran’s retaliation and said Tehran intended to avenge those killed during the war. He also portrayed Iran’s resistance over roughly 200 days as evidence that attempts to defeat the country had failed.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Major Flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil and LNG shipments. Shipping through the waterway has fallen sharply amid the conflict. Reuters reported that only three commercial vessels transited the strait on September 16, compared with 12 the previous day and a 10-day average of 17. 

Iran has previously said that reopening the waterway would depend on US actions and has demanded an end to military pressure, withdrawal of US forces from around Iran, compensation for war damages and the lifting of sanctions.

The latest statement comes as diplomatic signals remain mixed. Trump said on September 16 that he hoped the war was nearing an end, while Iranian officials have continued to attach conditions to any negotiations.