Iran VP links Hormuz security to oil market access

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has issued a stark warning regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz, stating it "is not free." He explicitly linked the security of the vital waterway to Iran's ability to export its oil, warning that if Iran's exports are restricted, it cannot guarantee the safety of the strait. The comments, reported by Anadolu Agency, come amid heightened tensions with the United States and a U.S. naval blockade of the strait. This is a direct continuation of Iran's official stance connecting its economic lifeline to regional security.