CENTCOM slams Iran's claim of controlling Strait of Hormuz
US CENTCOM slams Iranian claims of naval dominance, stating Iran has no navy and lacks control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a scathing rebuttal to claims made by a high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official regarding maritime control in the Middle East. The US military forcefully denied assertions that Iran maintains authority over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor.
'This is FALSE': CENTCOM's blunt response
The confrontation began after a senior IRGC commander claimed that Iran's navy holds absolute control over the maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In a direct response shared on the social media platform X, CENTCOM labeled the statement as false.
The US military command went further, stating that Iran possesses no operational authority or naval dominance in the region. CENTCOM provided what it termed as "facts" to counter Tehran's narrative:
- Naval Capability: CENTCOM asserted that Iran effectively has no navy because American forces have neutralized its capabilities.
- Maritime Traffic: The US pointed to the thousands of vessels that have navigated the strait without interference, including more than 1 billion barrels of oil passing through in recent months.
Tehran's stance on maritime dominance
The tension follows statements from Habibollah Sayyari, the Iranian Army Chief of Staff and Deputy Coordinator. According to reports from Anadolu Agency citing Iranian state media, Sayyari claimed that naval components under the IRGC maintain total control over the Persian Gulf and the entrance to the Indian Ocean. He issued a warning that Iranian forces would block any maritime traffic attempting to pass through the waterway.
Adding weight to Iran's position, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei also spoke on the nation's "armed readiness." Marking the "Sacred Defense Week," Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian military and society are united in protecting the Strait of Hormuz from adversaries.
Heightened regional tensions
Khamenei claimed that enemy forces have suffered "painful blows" from Iranian defenders, preventing them from advancing beyond the Arabian Sea. He suggested that despite internal differences, various sectors of Iranian society remain firm in preserving their "rightful positions" regarding the waterway.
This verbal exchange occurs against a backdrop of intensifying friction between Washington and Tehran. The dispute involves several critical issues, including Iran's nuclear programme and recent diplomatic friction following the rejection of an Iranian proposal by US President Donald Trump regarding the reopening of the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most significant maritime chokepoints on the planet, acting as the primary transit route for a massive portion of the world's petroleum supplies.