US and Iran both claim 'total control' of Strait of Hormuz
Photo: A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump said that the United States has "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, meanwhile, says it is the only country that controls the key waterway, Reuters reports.
Who controls the Strait of Hormuz
Hossein Taeb, the recently appointed head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit, made a statement about the Strait of Hormuz.
On August 13, he said that the strait is "under Iran's control and management," according to the outlet. Meanwhile, Trump said the day before that the United States has "total control" of the strategic waterway.
Taeb said the United States had tried to undermine what he described as the popularity of the Islamic Republic in the region by launching the war in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also said that the United States was defeated once again, despite claims that Iran has neither an air force nor a navy.
Taeb added that Iran continues to pursue a policy aimed at ensuring complete security.
Meanwhile, senior military and political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad said Iran would not reopen the strait unless the United States fulfills its obligations under the temporary agreement.
The official said the United States cannot unilaterally restore freedom of navigation through the strait, Fars News reported.
Strait of Hormuz blockade
After the war began on February 28, Tehran effectively closed the strait.
Previously, around one-fifth of the world’s supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas were transported through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
In June, the two countries reached a temporary agreement that established a permanent ceasefire and called for the swift restoration of freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.
The agreement collapsed several weeks later after Iran resumed limited attacks on vessels, accusing them of violating the terms of the deal. The move prompted the United States to resume strikes on Iran’s southern provinces.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran was prepared for a years-long war with the United States. Iranian officials said the country would be able to continue producing and launching missiles.
US President Donald Trump also changed his strategy toward Iran, opting for sanctions and a wait-and-see approach instead of military action.
In addition, the United States has at least two plans regarding Iran: wait for the country’s economy to collapse or launch another large-scale attack.
