Rear Admiral Sayyari: Hormuz Strait and Persian Gulf are firmly under Iran's naval control

Pars Today – Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Chief of Staff and Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army, stated that the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are firmly under the control of Iran's naval forces and that no vessel can pass through without Iran's permission.

According to Pars Today, citing IRIB News Agency, Sayyari said during the television program Man Iranam ("I Am Iran") that maritime control in the region is divided between Iran's naval forces.

He explained that the western side of the Strait of Hormuz, the strait itself, and the Persian Gulf are under the firm control of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz and the northern Indian Ocean are under the firm control of the Iranian Army Navy.

Sayyari emphasized that, under this arrangement, no vessel would be able to transit these waters without authorization from Iran.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari also spoke about the martyrs of the IRIS Dena warship, whom he said were martyred by American terrorists. He stated that the Dena had been participating in a peace and friendship exercise and an educational mission, and was not carrying combat weapons.

He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran Army will take revenge for these martyrs and called for the issue to be pursued through international and human rights organizations.

Responding to claims by Iran’s adversaries about the weakening of Iran’s naval power, Sayyari said: “They say Iran’s Navy has been damaged—if they are brave, let them come forward.” He stressed that Iran has had and continues to have strong regional power, and argued that some of the claims made from a distance are not expressions of real courage.