Tehran: Iran will not retreat from the Strait of Hormuz or restore it to its previous conditions, Expediency Discernment Council Chairman Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani stated, emphasizing that free passage will depend on the US compliance with the terms of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Larijani highlighted that the Iranian people and Armed Forces are steadfastly positioned at the strategic waterway, asserting that sovereignty over the strait belongs to the Islamic Republic. He firmly declared that Iran will not retreat and the strait will not return to its previous conditions.

Larijani criticized the United States and Israeli regime, accusing them of failing to undermine Iran's political system, divide the country, or destroy its armed forces, missile capabilities, and nuclear technology. He condemned US President Donald Trump's call for Iran's 'absolute surrender,' likening it to the arrogance of historical tyrants. He labeled Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'hated and criminal figures in history,' asserting their failure to end the imposed war within predicted periods.

The senior cleric stressed the importance of national unity and cohesion, advocating for resistance and perseverance to overcome the current challenging historical period. Larijani accused Trump and Netanyahu of war crimes under international law, referencing the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the alleged US-Israeli killing of school children in Minab, Lamerd, and other cities, along with damages to Iranian cultural heritage.

He concluded by addressing the alleged war criminals, asserting that the Iranian nation will not surrender and cautioning that greater oppression will ultimately harm them.