Iran's UN ambassador claims Iran will NOT close Strait of Hormuz — contradicts Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told reporters at the United Nations on Thursday that Iran is not going to close the Strait of Hormuz, stating it is Iran's 'inherent right to preserve the peace and security of the waterway.' This statement stands in direct contradiction to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first public message earlier Thursday, in which he declared the Strait of Hormuz 'should be closed as leverage' against the US-Israeli coalition. The contradiction exposes a significant split in Iranian messaging: Iran's diplomatic representative at the UN is publicly denying closure plans on the same day the supreme leader is calling for it as policy. Deputy FM Takht-Ravanchi earlier offered selective passage to neutral countries. Iran FM Baghaei said ships can pass with Iranian navy coordination. The pattern suggests Iran is trying to maintain energy leverage while avoiding full closure that would harm neutral allies — but the supreme leader's statement is the authoritative policy signal.