The Strait of Hormuz remains open but under Iranian control, a senior Iranian commander said amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies.
Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, said claims by the United States that it had destroyed Iran’s navy or was providing safe escorts for oil tankers were false, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency citing Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
“The Strait of Hormuz has not been militarily blocked and is merely under control,” the statement said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said the waterway remained open for global shipping except for vessels linked to the United States, 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,” Araghchi said.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through the route.
In his first message as Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei pledged to maintain leverage over the strait.
Trump Urges Nations To Help Secure Waterway
Meanwhile, Donald Trump called on countries dependent on oil shipments through the strait to help ensure it remains open, with assistance from the United States.
Washington has been attempting to stabilise rising oil prices following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US assets across the region.
“Many countries, especially those that 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 on social media.
“We have already destroyed 100 per cent of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are,” Trump said.
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