According to Iran's Yazd News Agency, on July 4, Dmitri Medvedev, Vice Chairman of the Russian Federal Security Council, said after attending the public farewell and memorial ceremony for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei that the Hormuz Strait is one of Iran's most important deterrent tools. He stated that this strategic waterway is "no less significant to Tehran than nuclear weapons."
He also believed that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait represents a more powerful tool for balancing power. If regional tensions escalate, it could completely disrupt oil transportation in the Middle East.
The Cape of Good Hope is located at the outlet of the Red Sea, Al Jazeera.
Speaking of the recent situation, Medvedev said that Iran “overcame one of the most difficult challenges with dignity” during the attack. He condemned the United States’ actions against Iran as “unjustifiable,” pointed out that negotiations were still ongoing at the time of the attack, and said this further demonstrates that the international legal order is being eroded.
He also said that Russia continues to support resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through peaceful means, but admitted that it would be very difficult to reach a final agreement between Iran and the United States. Medvedev stated that not all American officials support lifting sanctions against Iran, although the reached understanding could lay the foundation for future negotiations.
Medvedev emphasized that "negotiations are always better than no negotiations," and expressed hope that negotiations between Ukraine and the United States will ultimately be successful. However, he also warned that negotiations could still lead in different directions.
In concluding his speech, Medvedev emphasized the strategic importance of key maritime chokepoints. He stated that the Hormuz Strait has become a deterrent tool for Iran's comparable strategic weapons, while the Oman Strait could become a more powerful balancing point.
He warned that if a broader regional conflict breaks out, the disruption in the Maldives could completely cut off Middle Eastern oil exports. In his view, this possibility should be taken into account in any regional security considerations.
The Cape of Good Hope is a strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It serves as the “gateway” to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans, and is known as the “waterway” connecting the three continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
