Iran Delivers Fresh Warning as Hormuz Strait Tensions Rise
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to vessels that have not received authorization from Tehran, as tensions with the US continue to escalate.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a major general, said Tehran would not reopen the strategic waterway while the US continues to threaten or attack Iran, Mehr News Agency reports.
“Iran will ensure the opening of the Strait of Hormuz only when the US stops threatening and attacking Iran,” Rezaei said on state television.
He also dismissed US President Donald Trump’s statements that the strait remains open, calling them a “big lie.” Rezaei said that the US is attempting to move vessels through the waterway despite restrictions imposed by Tehran.
Rezaei claimed that US forces were trying to send five or six vessels through the strait, with some coming under attack. He said Iran does not currently intend to sink such vessels because they are carrying oil and their destruction could cause significant environmental damage.
Rezaei also said Iran has established a new prohibited zone outside the Strait of Hormuz. According to his account, any vessel entering the zone would be placed on a sanctions list.
The comments come as control over the strategically important waterway remains a major point of tension. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, making any prolonged disruption a potential concern for international oil markets.
Rezaei further claimed that Iran tested a new anti-ship missile around 48 hours earlier near a US aircraft carrier.
He said the missile launch forced US forces to retreat. There has been no independent confirmation from the US of these claims.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has separately claimed that it carried out strikes against a US aircraft carrier and a destroyer in the area around the Strait of Hormuz.
On the possibility of negotiations with Washington, Rezaei said the US would first need to rebuild Iran’s trust.
He pointed to what he described as a lack of confidence in guarantees provided by mediators during previous agreements. At the same time, he said Tehran continues to pursue diplomatic efforts but is seeking concrete guarantees.
Rezaei also rejected reports that the US economic blockade has caused a severe food shortage in Iran. He said Iranian authorities had prepared for such a scenario and maintained sufficient stocks of food and essential goods.
Rezaei said that Iran continues to export oil and generate revenue from its sales.
Rezaei claimed that Iran had delivered a “devastating blow” to the US Tower base in Jordan. He said Iranian forces had previously identified several American facilities as potential targets but deliberately refrained from striking them.
He further claimed that after attacks on some facilities, Trump abandoned the continuation of what Rezaei described as a declared 10-day war.
Turning to Lebanon, Rezaei said the country would “rise again,” arguing that the outcome of a war should not be judged solely by the victories or defeats of individual sides. He also praised Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon.
Rezaei concluded by saying that Iran reserves the right to respond to the strike on a wedding ceremony, adding another warning to an already highly tense regional situation.