Iranian Commander: Iran ‘Fully Controls’ Strait of Hormuz, Warns US Against Approach
TEHRAN — A senior Iranian military commander declared on Monday that Iran has “full control” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and will “strongly secure” the waterway, warning that any foreign military, particularly the United States, approaching the strait could be attacked .
Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, stated that Iran would respond “harshly” to any threats . The warning comes just as the U.S. prepares to launch “Project Freedom,” a mission to guide stranded ships out of the Gulf .
“The Strait of Hormuz is fully under our control and we will strongly secure it. Any foreign military presence — especially the United States — approaching the strait could be attacked, and we will respond harshly to any threats.”
— Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, IRGC Navy Commander
🚨 Direct Challenge to ‘Project Freedom’
Tangsiri’s statement is a direct challenge to the U.S. mission announced by President Trump over the weekend. The IRGC Navy has previously used fast-attack boats to harass, seize, and even fire on commercial vessels, and Tangsiri has claimed that his forces now have “thousands of missiles” capable of striking moving and stationary targets.
By asserting that Iran “fully controls” the waterway, Tangsiri is rejecting the U.S. claim that the strait is an international waterway under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The commander also stated that Iran “has the right to defend its sovereignty,” a claim the United States rejects.
🃏 A Calculated Gamble
The United States has announced that its “Project Freedom” mission will provide “information on safe routes” but will not include armed escorts for commercial vessels . The Iranian commander likely knows that the U.S. is trying to avoid a direct confrontation by removing the most provocative element of the mission.
President Trump has previously said that U.S. forces would “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines, and that any interference with the humanitarian process “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully” . Tangsiri’s warning is a high-stakes game of brinkmanship to deter the U.S. from following through on that threat. If U.S. ships stay far away, Iran “wins.” If they enter and do nothing, Iran claims victory. If the U.S. attacks, the ceasefire collapses.
🕊️ Ceasefire Still in Effect, Diplomacy Ongoing
Despite the saber‑rattling, the April 8 ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in effect, and diplomatic efforts continue. Tehran is currently reviewing Washington’s response to Iran’s 14-point peace proposal, and President Trump described the discussions as “very positive” .
Tangsiri’s nationalist rhetoric also serves a domestic audience, projecting strength and toughness to a population suffering under U.S. sanctions. However, the continued clash of “full control” vs. “international waterway” means that any movement of U.S. naval assets in the coming days risks a miscalculation that could spiral into a resumption of broader hostilities.
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