'Not Weaker Than A Nuclear Weapon': Russia's Medvedev Calls Strait Of Hormuz Iran's Biggest Asset

Published 5 July 2026 · world

'Not Weaker Than A Nuclear Weapon': Russia's Medvedev Calls Strait Of Hormuz Iran's Biggest Asset Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 13:00 IST Russia's

'Not Weaker Than A Nuclear Weapon': Russia's Medvedev Calls Strait Of Hormuz Iran's Biggest Asset Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 13:00 IST Russia's Dmitry Medvedev called the Strait of Hormuz Iran's "thermonuclear weapon", saying control over the vital waterway gives Tehran unmatched strategic leverage. Boats anchored off Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz (Photo: AFP) Russia’s Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Iran possesses a strategic asset “not weaker than a nuclear weapon" in the form of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Tehran had demonstrated its leverage by restricting movement through the vital global shipping lane. Medvedev made the remarks after attending the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. While some circulated translations of his comments referred to an “Armenian Strait" and later the “Maldives Strait", multiple reports and the broader context indicate he was referring to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway shared by Iran and Oman that carries a significant share of the world’s oil shipments.

“Iran, instead of a real nuclear weapon, has discovered another weapon that is not weaker than a nuclear one, namely the Strait," Medvedev said. Describing the strategic importance of the waterway, he added that it has “a complex international status, related to the presence of Iran on the one hand, and Oman on the other," referring to the two countries that border the strait. Medvedev said Tehran had used control over the Strait of Hormuz to demonstrate its geopolitical influence. “But having blocked the movement, Iran, of course, in this sense, showed its strength," he said. “And now there are talks and agreements about how this strait will continue to function." Drawing a comparison with nuclear deterrence, Medvedev suggested that control over the waterway could serve as a powerful strategic tool during periods of conflict. “I think that Iran has not only nuclear weapons in stock, but also thermonuclear weapons. And this is the Strait of Hormuz, which can be used in the event of a military conflict," he said.

FUNERAL DRAWS TENS OF THOUSANDS Medvedev’s comments came as tens of thousands of Iranians gathered at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla to pay their respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the outset of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Mourners dressed in black carried portraits of Khamenei and members of his family, while chants of “Death to America" echoed through the vast prayer complex. Coffins of Khamenei and several family members were placed on public display after an earlier lying-in-state ceremony attended by senior Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries, including Medvedev. Iran is holding a week-long series of funeral processions across the country before Khamenei is ultimately buried in Mashhad following ceremonies in Qom and Iraq’s Shi’ite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the central issues following the recent conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel. Iran asserted control over the strategic waterway during the war, contributing to a spike in global energy prices before a US-brokered ceasefire paused hostilities.