Medvedev Says Bab el-Mandeb Strait Is Iran’s Another Leverage Card

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is another leverage card held by Iran. According to Jin10, Medvedev made the remarks after attending a public farewell and memorial ceremony for Iran’s late supreme leader Khamenei on July 4. Medvedev said Iran does not truly possess nuclear weapons but has found another weapon that he described as no less powerful than nuclear weapons: the Strait of Hormuz. He also warned that Iran still has what he called a “thermonuclear weapon,” referring to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Medvedev said that if a military conflict occurs, the strait could be blocked, which would interrupt all oil and other transport routes. He added that he hoped the situation would not develop to that point, but said all countries attempting to stir up conflict in the region should keep this in mind.