Not a Bomb: Former Russian President Says Iran Has a Weapon Equal to Nuclear Arms

Russian Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has revealed that Iran possesses a weapon with power equivalent to ‘nuclear weapons’, namely the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, this narrow trade route is crucial for gaining leverage in negotiations. He stated that Iran’s ability to restrict traffic in the waterway demonstrates Tehran’s strategic reach. Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz gives it bargaining power comparable to nuclear weapons. Medvedev said Tehran could also disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the regional conflict widens. He warned that such a move could potentially halt oil shipments and trade via the sea route. ‘I hope that does not happen, but all countries that want to provoke conflict in the region must remember this,’ Medvedev said. Medvedev also criticised the recent US attacks on Iran. He deemed the strikes ‘unjustified’ and argued that Iran posed no threat to the United States while negotiations between the two countries were still ongoing. He said the attacks undermined international law and claimed that Russia had previously proposed a peaceful solution to address concerns related to Iran’s nuclear programme. Regarding the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, Medvedev said negotiations remain better than conflict. However, he warned that reaching a final agreement would be extremely difficult, especially concerning the lifting of sanctions and funding for Iran’s reconstruction. On the occasion, Medvedev also spoke about the idea of forming a collaboration platform with Russia to bring together countries subjected to sanctions. According to him, the proposal was first put forward by Tehran some time ago and could be realised in the form of a treaty or an organisation. Medvedev met with Pezeshkian in Tehran on Friday, on the sidelines of the funeral ceremony for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He visited Iran as a special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin to convey condolences from Moscow.