Iran Army Chief of Staff Says Strait of Hormuz Is Closed and Transit Must Be Coordinated

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Chief of Staff and Deputy Coordinator of Iran's Army, stated on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that any transit through it must be coordinated. He made the remarks to reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony honoring army nurses.

Sayyari argued that if the strait were not closed and oil were passing through, gasoline prices in the United States would not have risen. He described this as clear and evident. He also outlined the military posture in the region, saying the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy is firmly positioned in the west of the Strait of Hormuz, while the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is present with authority from the east of the strait to the north of the Sea of Oman, exercising full control and surveillance over the area.

He stressed that any transit must be coordinated, warning that otherwise "you see in the news what happens." The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption can affect international energy markets.

According to Mehr News, Sayyari's comments underscore Iran's military presence and its insistence on regulating passage through the strategic waterway.