Iran's Basij chief asserts Tehran's command over Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Basij commander says the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian control, countering Trump's claim of US dominance.
The commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, Hossein Taeb, declared on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is under Tehran's control and management. The statement, carried by the semi-official Fars news agency, asserts Iran's dominance over the vital oil shipping lane.
Taeb's remarks come as a direct counter to a claim made a day earlier by former US President Donald Trump. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the United States had "total control" of the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Roughly a fifth of the world's oil passes through it, making any dispute over its control a matter of significant international concern.
The competing assertions from Tehran and Washington highlight the ongoing tensions between the two nations over influence in the region. Neither side has provided further operational details to support their respective claims of control.