Iran Claims Complete Control Over Strait of Hormuz, Dismisses US Claims as False
TEHRAN:Rear Admiral Ali Azmaei, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is de facto closed and completely under the command of the IRGC. All maritime activities traversing the vital waterway are closely under the IRGC naval command and completely under the oversight of Iranian personnel, the navy commander said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency.
He insisted that what happens on the ground must be looked at based on real physical circumstances, and not based on declarations made or statements issued by American officials.Tehran says no ship can sail through the strait without permission from Iran, but the U.S. claims the critical trade route is still open for international commercial shipping.In a linked development,
Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee chairman Ebrahim Azizi claimed a “multi-directional ground attack” against Iran was foiled “at the beginning”. Iranian military forces, supported by local forces, had completely destroyed the enemy’s operational goals, said Azizi, adding that Tehran would keep monitoring Washington’s actions until the enemy was completely defeated.