Tehran (TDI): Iran has announced tighter control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that American weapons shipments destined for regional military bases will no longer be permitted to pass through the strategic waterway.
Iranian military officials said the strait is now under coordinated supervision of the country’s armed forces, with the western section controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy and the eastern portion overseen by the Iranian Navy.
Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated that any country seeking to move through the Strait of Hormuz must now do so under Iranian supervision to ensure what he described as a “passage without harm”.
He added that Iran would not allow US military equipment to transit the route toward American bases in the region.
Iranian officials suggested that maintaining stronger control over the strait could become a permanent strategic objective following the conflict.
An Iranian army spokesperson said the waterway could provide Tehran with major geopolitical and economic leverage, claiming revenues generated from supervising the route could eventually exceed the country’s oil income.
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Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also said Tehran’s rights over the Strait of Hormuz were “established” and no longer open for debate.
The Strait of Hormuz previously carried nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict disrupted maritime traffic and energy supply chains.
The latest developments come amid growing tensions between Iran and Gulf countries following the wider regional conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi demanded the release of four Iranian nationals detained by Kuwait, accusing Kuwaiti authorities of unlawfully intercepting an Iranian vessel near a Gulf island used by US forces.
Kuwaiti authorities, however, alleged the four individuals were linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and had attempted to infiltrate the country to carry out hostile activities.
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According to Kuwaiti media reports, the individuals entered Kuwaiti waters aboard a fishing boat and were detained after a confrontation with security forces.
Iran denied the allegations, saying the men were part of a routine maritime patrol and had unintentionally entered Kuwaiti waters because of a navigation system malfunction.
