IRGC commander: Strait of Hormuz open but firmly under Iran's control
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Cairo: Amid escalating US-Iran tensions, a top Iranian commander insisted the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil—remains open but fully under Tehran's control.
IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri dismissed US claims of destroying Iran's navy or safely escorting tankers as false, per Iran's Tasnim news agency. "The Strait of Hormuz has not been militarily blocked and is merely under control," he stated.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this to US media, saying the passage is open to all except ships from the US, Israel, and their allies. "The Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed to the tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass," he added.
New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to retain leverage over the strait.
US President Donald Trump countered on Saturday, urging oil-dependent nations to join American forces in securing the waterway amid joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's regional retaliations. Posting on social media, Trump claimed Iran's military is "100 per cent" degraded but warned of risks from drones, mines, or missiles.
"Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending war ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," he wrote.
(Inputs from IANS)