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Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker Claims Strait of Hormuz is Iran's 'Atomic Bomb'

Claim checked

"Our atomic bomb is the Strait of Hormuz," Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei said on Sunday.

Published April 12, 2026 at 8:08 PM

Verdict

Supported

On April 12, 2026, Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei reportedly described the Strait of Hormuz as Iran's "atomic bomb," emphasizing its strategic importance as a deterrent and a tool for economic leverage. This statement coincides with legislative efforts in the Iranian parliament to "nationalize" the waterway and impose transit tolls payable only in Iranian rials.

8 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

Multiple reports from April 12, 2026, confirm that Hamidreza Haji Babaei made aggressive statements regarding Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz. While the specific metaphor of the 'atomic bomb' appears in news headlines and social media reports from the same day, the parsed text of his interviews (such as with SNN and Mehr News) supports the underlying sentiment: he characterized control of the strait as a form of 'immunity' against sanctions and a source of power that prevents any country from daring to attack Iran. He explicitly stated that the waterway is 'completely in Iran's hands' and that the parliament is fast-tracking legislation to collect transit fees in rials.

Source quality: The report is supported by multiple international news outlets (Bangladesh Pratidin, Financial Express) and Iranian state-affiliated media (SNN, Fararu) reporting on the same day with consistent quotes regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Haji Babaei's legislative actions.

Key checks

  • Attribution to Hamidreza Haji Babaei: Reports from April 12, 2026, identify Haji Babaei as the Deputy Parliament Speaker making these declarations regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

  • Legislative Action on the Strait: Haji Babaei confirmed that a 'double-urgency' bill is in the Iranian parliament to nationalize the strait and mandate tolls in rials to counter international sanctions.

  • Strategic Deterrence Context: Haji Babaei stated that control over the strait provides 'immunity' and ensures that 'no country will dare to attack' Iran, aligning with the 'atomic bomb' metaphor for strategic deterrence.

Confidence

High