Iran Army Commander Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed

Major General Amir Hatami, Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, announced Thursday that Iranian forces will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the enemy respects the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation. Speaking at the Imam Ali Officer University in Tehran, Hatami stated that Iran seized operational control of the waterway following the start of US-Israeli aggression on February 28.

He detailed a divided command structure where the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy manages the western section of the strait, while the Army Navy controls the eastern section and the Sea of Oman. Hatami rejected claims that the waterway is open or that Iranian military capabilities have weakened, asserting that traffic is sharply restricted and hostile vessels are barred.

Linking the reopening of the strait to the lifting of illegal sanctions and blockades, Hatami warned that any threats to Iranian infrastructure would trigger a response several times greater in scale against the interests of the Israeli regime and any cooperating countries.