Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf warns Hormuz will not return to pre-war status — one of last senior regime figures speaks

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted a warning on English-language social media on Day 18 stating that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war status even after the current conflict concludes. Ghalibaf is described by the Times of Israel as one of the last remaining influential Islamic Republic figures still publicly active. The statement has significant strategic and economic implications. If Iran maintains post-conflict restrictions on Hormuz passage, it would permanently alter global oil and LNG shipping routes, threatening the approximately 20% of global oil that transits the strait. Ghalibaf's position as parliament speaker and his choice to post in English suggests the statement was intended as a direct signal to international energy markets and Western governments. The warning comes as Brent crude trades at $103/barrel — up 50% from pre-war levels — and as Trump presses allies to help police Hormuz amid their refusal.