IRGC Navy Commander Says Strait of Hormuz “Fully Under Our Control”

Iran has partially restricted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as part of an ongoing naval exercise, coupling the move with strong statements about its control over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Temporary Restriction Confirmed During Military Drill

According to Fars News Agency, sections of the Strait were closed for several hours for navigational safety during the IRGC Navy’s exercise titled “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz.”

The restriction was described as temporary and limited to the duration of the drill. Iranian authorities emphasized that the measure was implemented to ensure maritime safety during live-fire maneuvers and operational scenarios, not as a permanent shutdown of the waterway.

“Not Outside Our Control for a Single Moment”

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the Strait is under full operational and intelligence monitoring around the clock.

He said Iran can tighten or regulate maritime traffic whenever necessary and warned that vessels violating maritime rules would be intercepted.

“The Strait is not outside our control for a single moment,” Tangsiri said, adding that if a decision were taken at the political level, Iran could close the waterway “in the shortest possible time.” He also described Iranian islands in the Gulf as “invincible fortresses.”

Drill Scenarios: Missiles, Mines and Intercepts

The exercise includes missile launches, simulated attacks on hostile vessels, naval mine deployment, electronic warfare operations and tanker interception scenarios. Iranian officials say the purpose is to test rapid-response units and demonstrate what they describe as “smart control” capabilities in the face of potential threats.

Energy Flows and Rising Tensions

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles a significant portion of the world’s oil exports, making any disruption closely watched by energy markets.

The drill comes amid renewed indirect nuclear discussions in Geneva and continued US military deployments in the region, including carrier strike groups such as the USS Gerald R. Ford.

While the latest closure was limited and exercise-related, Tehran’s messaging underscores its longstanding position that it retains the capability to escalate maritime pressure if regional tensions intensify.