Iran's Chief of Staff says Strait of Hormuz is closed, warns violating vessels

Iran's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdollahi, stated that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed and that no violating vessel will be safe, rejecting US claims that the strategic waterway is open and free. He emphasized that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) naval and ground forces have full control and surveillance over the coasts of the Persian Gulf, its islands, and the Strait of Hormuz, and that any movement in the area is under strict monitoring. He said the waterway is managed by the powerful IRGC Navy.

During a visit to the coasts of the Sea of Oman, Abdollahi said the Army's naval and ground forces, with high readiness and morale, have full control and surveillance over the free waters of the Sea of Oman and its coasts. They are monitoring all enemy movements in the region and will not allow violating vessels to transit, he said. The visits were attended by commanders of the IRGC Navy and the Army Navy.

He warned that any violating vessel that seeks to transit outside the designated route and Iranian arrangements for any reason will have its security endangered and will suffer serious damage. Abdollahi said the armed forces in the Persian Gulf region, the islands, the Strait of Hormuz, and the coasts of the Sea of Oman are more ready than before, with new and more advanced equipment, and are present in the region with power and authority. They will confront any evil and aggression by the enemy more severely than before, he said.

According to Mehr News, the statements come amid heightened tensions over the strategic waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass. The US has previously claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and free, a claim Iran's military leadership has now publicly rejected. The report by Mehr News added that the visits were attended by commanders of the IRGC Navy and the Army Navy, underscoring the coordinated stance of Iran's armed forces regarding the control of the waterway.