Iran's Security Chief Declares End of US Hegemony in Middle East, Asserts Control Over Hormuz

### Tehran Signals Shift in Regional Power Dynamics

In a pointed critique of Western influence in the Middle East, Ebrahim Azizi, the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Islamic Parliament, has declared that the period during which the United States could unilaterally interfere in the internal political landscapes of regional states is officially over. Speaking through reports cited by the Mehr News Agency, Azizi articulated a vision of a Middle East where indigenous powers, rather than external superpowers, dictate the security and political trajectories of the region.

### Strategic Control of the Strait of Hormuz

One of the most provocative elements of Azizi's remarks centered on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Azizi explicitly stated that the management and operational control of the strait remain firmly in the hands of the Iranian government. This assertion comes at a time of heightened global tension regarding energy security, as a significant portion of the world's oil supplies pass through these narrow waters.

By emphasizing Iran's authority over the strait, Tehran is sending a clear signal to international shipping lanes and foreign naval forces that any attempt to bypass or challenge Iranian maritime sovereignty could lead to significant disruptions. This rhetoric aligns with previous Iranian warnings that the country possesses the capability to restrict transit should its national security be threatened by external sanctions or military provocations.

### Redefining Sovereignty in Lebanon

Turning his attention to the Levant, Azizi addressed the ongoing volatility in Lebanon. He challenged the prevailing Western narrative that the disarmament of resistance forces—specifically those aligned with the "Axis of Resistance"—is a prerequisite for national stability. Instead, Azizi argued that the true path to ensuring Lebanese sovereignty lies in the absolute end of Israeli occupation and the cessation of Israeli military aggression against Lebanese territory.

From Tehran's perspective, the presence of armed resistance groups is not the cause of instability, but rather a necessary response to foreign incursions. Azizi maintained that until the root causes of conflict, namely territorial encroachment and military incursions, are resolved, the demand for disarmament is a strategic error that only leaves the nation more vulnerable to external threats.

### The Fallacy of the US Security Umbrella

Azizi further expanded on the perceived failures of the United States' security architecture in the region. He contended that regional governments which have historically "bet" on American protection are discovering that such reliance is fundamentally detrimental to their own long-term stability and national security.

According to the parliamentary chief, the proliferation of US military bases across the Middle East does not function as a protective shield for host nations. Instead, he argued that these installations act as catalysts for tension, transforming the region into a theater for superpower competition and making host countries targets for regional rivalry. Azizi posits that true security can only be achieved through regional diplomacy and mutual agreements between neighboring states, devoid of the influence of a distant superpower whose interests often diverge from those of the local populations.

### Diplomatic Stasis and Geopolitical Realities

These statements emerge amidst a backdrop of diplomatic stagnation. While there have been intermittent reports of potential intermediaries, such as Oman, suggesting new frameworks for regional cooperation or maritime fees in the Hormuz Strait, official channels remain cold. Iran has reiterated that no formal talks have been arranged with the United States, suggesting that Tehran is currently prioritizing strategic deterrence and regional alliances over renewed negotiations with Washington.

The rhetoric from the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee reflects a broader ideological shift within the Iranian leadership. By framing the US presence as an obsolete relic of a bygone era, Iran is attempting to lead a regional realignment that favors a multipolar security framework, effectively challenging the long-standing hegemony of the United States in the Persian Gulf and beyond.