Senior military adviser to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Major General Mohsen Rezaei warned on Sunday that Tehran could confront the United States over its naval blockade, cautioning that the Sea of Oman could turn into a “graveyard” for US vessels if tensions continue to rise.
Maj. Gen. Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, urged Washington to scale back militarily, saying that a blockade amounts to an act of war and that responding to it would be a natural right. His remarks were during an interview with Iranian state television late Sunday.
Rezaei stressed that Tehran’s restraint should not be mistaken for acceptance of pressure, adding that patience does not equate to submission.
“If we’ve been patient until now, it doesn’t mean we have accepted it,” he said.
🇮🇷 Mohsen Rezaei: "We will break through America's naval blockade. Our patience has its limits, and the armed forces are getting ready." pic.twitter.com/eicL0xYK6J
— Sprinter Press Agency (@SprinterPress) May 17, 2026
He also questioned the rationale behind the continued US military presence in the Gulf, arguing that Washington no longer had the justifications it once used to maintain its role in the region.
“America comes here and brings its warships. Who is its enemy? At one time, they said they came to confront the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union no longer exists,” he said.
🇮🇷 🇺🇸 🇴🇲 Mohsen Rezaei: One of the three American patrol ships that entered the Strait of Hormuz from the side of Oman was damaged as a result of an Iranian missile attack, and the USA is silent about it. pic.twitter.com/uOMtYUSeL8
— RusWar (@ruswar) May 18, 2026
Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz had always remained open to trade and argued that what was being rejected was foreign military campaigns rather than commercial movement.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to trade, but it will be closed to military buildups and any attempts to destabilize security,” he said.
Source: Iranian media (edited by Al-Manar)