Iran, US make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz

Iran has asserted its complete control and management over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint. Hossein Taeb, the new head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, stated on Thursday that the "Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic." This declaration directly challenges recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated the United States had "total control" of the strategic waterway.

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Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the ​Islamic Republic.

Taeb accused the U.S. of attempting to undermine Iran's regional standing by initiating conflict in the strait, but claimed these efforts had failed. He emphasized that Iran continues to operate with "complete security." Iran's joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, further reinforced this position, stating that no vessel can transit the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran's permission. The command dismissed U.S. claims about normal passage as "lies and falsehoods."

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The baseless claims made by the United States regarding the normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz ... are nothing more than lies and falsehoods.

The situation remains tense, with Iran indicating that the waterway will not reopen unless prior commitments are met. Senior military official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad warned that Iran would respond more forcefully in any future conflict. The ongoing dispute underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas is transported, and highlights the persistent friction between Iran and the United States over regional security and maritime rights.

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In a possible future war, we ​will stand more firmly and more offensively.