US military rejects Iranian claims of controlling Strait of Hormuz

The US military dismissed an Iranian commander's assertion that Tehran maintains control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, asserting Iran lacks a navy as American forces destroyed it. CENTCOM emphasized that Tehran does not exercise any authority over the strategic chokepoint, citing thousands of commercial vessels passing through and over a billion barrels of crude oil transiting recently.

This stance emerged after Iranian state media quoted Army Chief of Staff Rear Adm Habibollah Sayyari as claiming full control over the waterway and Gulf by naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warning against any maritime transit. The ongoing dispute over blockades in the vital corridor intensified amid a seven-month conflict initiated by US and Israeli strikes in late February.

A US official disclosed to Al Jazeera that ongoing negotiations with Iran remain "constructive," but a deal hinges on resolving nuclear issues. President Donald Trump is reportedly willing to lift sanctions and release Iran's frozen assets in return for progress on nuclear matters, though the US remains skeptical of Iran following its breach of a previous agreement in July.

The official noted that while Iran appears flexible on nuclear issues, disagreements persist regarding the timing of commitments and the sequence of steps. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has reportedly increased, and the sanctions continue to weaken Iran's position.