The Strait of Hormuz "is under the control and management of Iran," the head of Iran's paramilitary Basij force, Hossein Taeb, said on Thursday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, UNN reports, citing Reuters.
Details
The remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States has "full control" over the strategic waterway.
Taeb said that the United States had tried to undermine what he called the Islamic Republic's popularity in the region by launching "another war in the Strait of Hormuz," but had once again been defeated, despite claims that Iran has neither an air force nor a navy.
"Today you can see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic," Taeb said, adding that Iran is continuing its course toward complete security.
As dpa notes, Iran's new agency overseeing the strait, the Persian Gulf Strait Control Authority (PGSA), also rejected Trump's claim that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz in a post on X on Wednesday, insisting that this crucial shipping route remains blocked.
Repeated statements and social media posts by U.S. officials about lifting the blockade have not changed the situation on the ground, the PGSA said.
"The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted," the PGSA said.
Update
Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States has "full control" over the waterway.
Trump suggested that the Strait of Hormuz could be fully opened by Tuesday03.08.26, 22:10
"We have complete control of the Strait of Hormuz. We have control over it; no one else, only us," he told reporters on Tuesday evening.
The dispute over transit rights in the strait, a key international route for oil, gas and fertilizers, is considered one of the main triggers of the recent escalation of the military conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Before the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was virtually unhindered.
After the war began, Iran effectively halted shipping through attacks on vessels and threats. As a result, oil and gas prices rose sharply, leading to increased inflation worldwide.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that commercial shipping in the strait remains at a low level.
UKMTO said that attacks, attempted attacks and "harassment-related activity" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continue in the area: "These actions continue to demonstrate Iran's intent to establish its presence along key transit routes and exert pressure on transit vessels."