A senior Iranian official emphasized on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is firmly under Islamic Republic control, countering President Donald Trump’s assertion of US dominance over the strategic waterway.
Hossein Taeb, leader of the paramilitary Basij forces linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, stated via state television that the strait remains under Iranian management, ensuring the nation’s security.
His remarks followed Trump’s declaration that the US had control of the vital energy corridor, which he announced on his Truth Social platform, asserting “total control” and referring to a so-called “WALL OF STEEL” naval blockade, claiming there was nothing Iran could do to counter it.
While the US has frequently claimed authority over the strait, Iran consistently rejects these assertions, affirming its effective control and intention to implement a toll system.
Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, criticized US actions on Thursday, attributing them to miscalculations and intelligence failures, citing previous US actions as flawed examples.
Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi stated that the strait remains inaccessible to US and Israeli vessels, stressing no passage rights for these ships under any conditions.
Talks between Iran and Oman aim to establish an alternate route through the strait, though no agreement has been finalized. Tehran maintains that even with a new route, changes would only occur if the US accommodates Iran’s stipulations.
