- Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their strategy was to maintain their blockade "until the enemy accepts all our conditions... the strait is now actually a theatre of war for us and not just a waterway".
- US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that America has control over the Strait of Hormuz and that he will "keep it".
- In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the success of the US naval blockade and claimed it is being called "a wall of steel" and that Iran cannot do anything about it.
- Trump asserted that Iran has no Navy and Air Force and that their soldiers are unpaid, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is "decimated and fleeing".
- Trump ended his post by saying Iran is no longer the "bully" of the Middle East and said, "Praise be to Allah!"
- Trump's post comes amid reports that Iran has allegedly reorganised its military to be more aggressive abroad amid stalled talks with the US.
- According to Mohammad Reza Naqdi, adviser to the IRGC commander, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made a raft of top military appointments, marking a shift to an "offensive doctrine", as reported by Bloomberg.
- Naqdi stated, "Whenever the conditions are favorable and the order is issued, we must be able to take the operation into enemy territory," contrasting with Iran's earlier approach based on "defense and the preservation of the country."
President Trump emphasized U.S. dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I think we will keep it!" He described the naval blockade as a "wall of steel" that Iran cannot breach, asserting that the Iranian military is "decimated and fleeing".
In contrast, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have declared the strait a "theatre of war", vowing to maintain their blockade until the U.S. lifts sanctions and compensates for wartime damages. They stated, "Whenever the conditions are favorable and the order is issued, we must be able to take the operation into enemy territory", indicating a shift to a more aggressive military posture.
Trump's comments come amid reports of Iran reorganizing its military for offensive operations, with military adviser Mohammad Reza Naqdi noting a shift from a defensive strategy. Trump also criticized Iran's economic situation, claiming they have "no money" and are facing "300% inflation". He concluded by labeling Iran as the "bully of the Middle East no longer".
The ongoing tensions highlight a complex geopolitical landscape, with both nations asserting their positions in a high-stakes standoff over this critical waterway.
“Trump's claim comes as Iran's Revolutionary Guards vow to maintain their blockade 'until the enemy accepts all our conditions'. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made top military appointments, shifting Iran to an 'offensive doctrine' amid stalled talks.”
