Iranian commander warns ships seeking to cross Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Armed Forces Deputy Coordinator Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made sharp statements about the military and political crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and the current state of maritime navigation during an official programme, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Sayyari claimed Iran’s armed forces have full operational control and monitoring capabilities over the strategic waterway, and said all vessel crossings in the area must be coordinated directly with Tehran.

Assessing the situation in the strait, Sayyari said the maritime route was under blockade:

“The Strait of Hormuz is completely closed at present. If traffic were open, the flow of oil tankers would continue, and gasoline prices in the United States would not be rapidly reaching record highs. The matter is extremely clear and specific,” the Iranian commander said.

According to Sayyari, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy is positioned in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, while the Iranian Army’s regular Navy is deployed in the eastern sector and the northern Sea of Oman. He claimed that full geostrategic control of the region had been secured.

Warning commercial and military vessels against attempting to use the strait without permission, Sayyari added: “If any crossing takes place, it must be coordinated with us in advance. Otherwise, everyone can clearly see on international news channels what is happening and what strikes are being carried out.”