Medvedev: Iran Has a More Powerful Strategic Lever Than the Strait of Hormuz

WANA (Jul 04) – Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, described the Strait of Hormuz as one of Iran’s most significant deterrence tools, saying the strategic waterway has become “no less important than a nuclear weapon” for Tehran.

He also argued that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait represents an even more powerful lever, capable of completely disrupting oil shipments from the Middle East if regional tensions escalate.

Medvedev, who traveled to Tehran as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to attend a ceremony honoring Iran’s late Supreme Leader, said he delivered Putin’s message of condolence to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the future development of bilateral relations.

According to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Medvedev said cooperation between Moscow and Tehran on international issues continues under the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. He also described Tehran as a “vibrant and rapidly developing city,” adding that the visit left a positive impression on him.

Referring to the recent conflict, Medvedev said Iran had “passed one of the toughest tests with dignity” during the attacks carried out against the country. He condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran as “unjustified,” noting that they occurred while negotiations were still underway, and described them as further evidence of the erosion of the international legal order.

The senior Russian official also said Moscow continues to support a peaceful resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue but acknowledged that reaching a final agreement between Tehran and Washington would be difficult. According to Medvedev, not all U.S. officials support lifting sanctions on Iran, although the understandings already reached could provide a foundation for future negotiations.

While stressing that “negotiations are always better than no negotiations,” Medvedev expressed hope that the talks between Iran and the United States would ultimately succeed. At the same time, he cautioned that the negotiations could still take a different course.

He also revealed that during his visit he discussed with President Pezeshkian the idea of creating a “Platform of Sanctioned Countries.” According to Medvedev, Russia, Iran, China, and other countries facing international sanctions could explore establishing a common framework to coordinate efforts against economic restrictions.

Concluding his remarks, Medvedev emphasized the strategic importance of key maritime chokepoints. He said the Strait of Hormuz has become a deterrent instrument for Iran comparable to a strategic weapon, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could prove to be an even more powerful leverage point.

In the event of a broader regional conflict, he warned, disruption at Bab el-Mandeb could halt Middle Eastern oil exports entirely—an outcome that, in his view, should be factored into any regional security calculations.

WANA News Agency