Iran warns US over Strait of Hormuz as Ghalibaf threatens military response

Iran has warned the United States against attempting to facilitate the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claiming that Iranian forces maintain full control over the strategic waterway.

TEHRAN: Iran has warned the United States against attempting to facilitate the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claiming that Iranian forces maintain full control over the strategic waterway.

In a video message released by Iranian media outlets Ghalibaf said Iranian forces were resisting US attempts to allow vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

He acknowledged that some ships had managed to cross the waterway but insisted that Iran still maintained control over the strategic passage and would not permit efforts aimed at reopening it under US terms.

Ghalibaf also criticized what he described as US assurances to ships that they could safely cross the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian parliament speaker these assurances were misleading, and vessels attempting to use the route were being targeted.

He alleged that the United States was attempting to use the southern route in violation of a memorandum of understanding, but said Iran would not allow such an arrangement to continue.

The Iranian official further described the reported US naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz as a military action and warned that Tehran would respond militarily if Washington tightened the blockade.

Ghalibaf said Iran viewed control over the strategic waterway as a major part of its response to pressure from the United States.

He also issued a broader warning concerning Iranian oil exports. According to Ghalibaf, if the United States seeks to prevent Iran from exporting oil through the Gulf Iran’s position is that other countries would also be unable to export oil.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. A significant volume of global oil and energy shipments passes through the waterway making any disruption potentially important for international energy markets.

The latest Iranian warning comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington and increasing concerns over maritime traffic through the Gulf.

Iran’s statements indicate that the country intends to maintain pressure over access to the Strait of Hormuz and oppose attempts to establish alternative shipping arrangements without Tehran’s approval.

The remarks by Ghalibaf could further increase uncertainty for commercial shipping operators and energy markets as regional tensions remain elevated.

Any escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could have wider implications for global oil supplies shipping routes and energy prices, making developments in the waterway a key focus of international attention.