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

The Strait of Hormuz is currently under the control and management of Iran, according to the recently appointed head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit, Hossein Taeb. This statement came the day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the United States had "total control" of the strategic waterway. Taeb argued that the U.S. had attempted to disrupt Iran's popularity in the region by launching another war in the Strait, but had been defeated once again. Despite this, he stated that Iran remains in complete security and control of the strait.

Following the onset of the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas were previously shipped. In response, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, claiming it would protect freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from non-Iranian ports.

However, Iran's joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, declared that no vessel could transit the Strait without Tehran's permission.

Iran's military spokesperson warned that the U.S.'s claims regarding the normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz are merely lies and falsehoods. In June, the two countries reached an interim agreement that declared a permanent ceasefire and called for a swift return to freedom of navigation in the Gulf. However, this deal was short-lived as Iran resumed limited attacks on vessels that it claimed were sailing contrary to the arrangements under the agreement.

In response, the U.S. restarted strikes on Iran's southern provinces, stating that they aimed to degrade Tehran's ability to target vessels in the Gulf.

Senior military political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad stated that Iran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the other side fulfilled its commitments under the interim deal. He further warned that the reopening of the waterway is not something the U.S. can achieve unilaterally and that Iran would respond more forcefully in any future conflict, vowing to stand more firmly and offensively.