Iran Asserts Control of Hormuz After 40-Day War

The Government of Iran has asserted absolute operational control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following a 40-day war that began with a U.S. and Israeli surprise attack on February 28, 2026. Despite a ceasefire on April 8, Iran continues to restrict transit for vessels affiliated with the U.S. and Israel, while allowing other commercial shipping to pass to maintain its strategic leverage.

Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik reported that Iran maintained air superiority over Israeli territories and preserved a significant portion of its missile capabilities. Tehran is now refusing to use the strategic waterway as a bargaining chip, instead demanding war reparations, the return of frozen assets, and the total withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Islamabad to convey these positions, explicitly denying that the visit was intended for direct negotiations with the U.S.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any further aggression will be met with strategic deterrence, including potential ground operations. Meanwhile, the U.S. has failed to achieve its objectives of regime change or missile suppression. This shift has led regional powers, including India and Gulf Arab states, to reconsider their reliance on U.S. security architecture in favor of a multipolar framework involving Russia and China.