The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Chief Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei challenged claims by the United States that the Strait of Hormuz is open and under Washington’s control.
In his first televised interview aired on Tuesday, the Iranian commander said Iran exercises “smart control” over the Strait of Hormuz and requires vessels seeking to pass through the route to obtain authorization.
“Today, the Americans claim that the Strait of Hormuz is open and they control it, but this claim is far away from the realities on the ground,” Rear Admiral Ozmaei said.
IRGC Navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei says the US claims it controls the Strait of Hormuz, but the reality on the ground says otherwise. Follow https://t.co/boCY50qN7H https://t.co/EFSq4N9YcB
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) October 13, 2026
“If they want to know whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, they should step into the field and see who is in control of it.”
The IRGC Navy commander also slammed the US military presence in the region, noting that American forces and their seven fleets had effectively become “fuel smugglers.”
He said the United States’ $13 billion aircraft carrier had been rendered ineffective and was operating like a runway positioned 700 to 800 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz.
“The carrier is vulnerable and does not dare approach the strait and come within range of our fighters,” Ozmaei said.
He said the IRGC Navy controls the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, while the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Navy oversees the Sea of Oman.
Source: Iranian media (edited by Al-Manar)