Iran’s armed forces chief warns ships off designated routes risk “serious damage” as Tehran says the Strait of Hormuz is closed under IRGC control

Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, warned during a visit to the coast of the Sea of Oman that vessels violating Iranian security protocols in southern waters and leaving designated routes would put themselves at risk and face serious damage. He said the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has full control over the Persian Gulf coastline, its islands and the Strait of Hormuz, with maritime traffic under close surveillance.

Abdollahi rejected US officials’ statements that the strait is open to navigation, saying it is completely closed and managed by the IRGC’s naval force. Iran restricted transit in response to US-Israeli aggression, the account said; Tehran declared the waterway closed to all traffic after Washington attempted to undermine Iranian sovereignty and imposed a naval blockade in violation of a war-ending deal.

He added that the Army’s naval and ground forces remain on high alert, surveilling the open waters of the Sea of Oman and monitoring what he called enemy movements. Abdollahi said Iran’s armed forces, equipped with more advanced systems than ever before, maintain a robust regional presence and would counter any acts of mischief or aggression with greater force.