Iran Military: No Vessel Crosses Hormuz Without Tehran's Permission

Iran's main military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, declared on Thursday that no commercial vessel or oil tanker has been able to cross the Strait of Hormuz safely without the permission and supervision of the Iranian armed forces.

In a video message carried by Iranian media, headquarters spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the strait remains under Iran's complete control and management, as it has been in the past. He dismissed recent claims by the United States about vessels passing through the waterway normally as "false and nothing but lies."

Zolfaghari said the US claims reflect the "desperation and helplessness" of its army, adding that American leaders and forces have already experienced the power and resistance of Iran's military.

He stressed that Iranian forces are monitoring all movements by the United States and Israel in the region and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian people's rights, national sovereignty, and aspirations, responding to any threat.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump claimed on social media that the United States maintains "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran tightened its grip on the strait on February 28, barring safe passage for vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.