Iran claims full control of Strait of Hormuz amid US tensions

Iran has said it has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz as fears grow of a possible military confrontation with the United States.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Iran fully controls the land, airspace and underwater areas of the strategic waterway, stressing that Tehran is prepared for conflict even though it does not seek war.

He said Iran now uses advanced and “intelligent” systems to monitor all surface and underwater movements and can decide which vessels are allowed to pass through the strait. Akbarzadeh warned that Iran would not allow the US or its allies to benefit from any war they initiate and said neighboring countries would be treated as hostile if their territory were used against Iran.

The commander added that Iran possesses additional capabilities that could be revealed later if tensions escalate.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, handling about one-third of global seaborne crude oil shipments and around one-fifth of total oil consumption. Roughly 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products pass through the waterway daily, most of it bound for Asian markets, particularly China.

The strait is also vital for liquefied natural gas trade, accounting for about 20 percent of global LNG shipments. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are among the largest users of the route.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen sharply in recent weeks, with the US saying all options remain on the table. Iranian officials have warned that any attack on the country would trigger a swift and wide-ranging response.