An Iranian official said in an interview with RT on Thursday that the “conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war status quo.” At the moment, transit remains “operational,” however, all vessels are subject to inspection by the Iranian ruling class.

“To date, no vessel belonging to the enemy or its partners has been granted permission to pass,” referring to the United States, Israel, and their allies. Ships wanting passage through the Strait of Hormuz are currently required to use “the flag state of the vessel to establish contact with Tehran,” the official declared.

The Iranian authorities have established a “secure route” through the strait, the official said. “Given the insecurity caused by American aggression across various parts of the Persian Gulf, this corridor remains the only viable path for the transport of goods and products.”

He also urged the international media “to ignore the disinformation campaigns by the United States-Israeli side and [US President Donald] Trump personally.”

One of Iran’s conditions for a ceasefire is sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, which is likely to upset the U.S., which is looking for control over more oil.

Iran Wants Sovereignty Over The Strait Of Hormuz

Trump has already threatened to take Iran’s oil and isn’t going to take kindly to being cut off from the vital waterway due to its warmongering.

Trump Threatens to Take Tehran’s Oil as Iran Says U.S. Proposal Is “Unrealistic”

“Iranian regulation and control over the Strait continues and will persist,” the Iranian official told RT.

In an address to the nation on Thursday, Trump suggested that countries that depend on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz should “build up some delayed courage… and just take it.” He added that the waterway could “open up naturally” after the war ends, without providing details. –RT

Unless the U.S. wants to expand this war and actively take the Strait, it does look like Iran has the upper hand. It can approve or deny ships it wants, and with the new “regime” in place to do so, the country could rake in $100 billion a year.