Iran Army Chief Warns US Against Bid to Control Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, IRAN — WEB DESK: Iran’s army chief Major General Amir Hatami has warned the United States against any attempt to establish control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington would face consequences and that Iranian forces were prepared to respond to hostile action.

Hatami issued the warning amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over the strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that Hatami warned against further US military moves in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz and said American forces would not be allowed to re-establish regional bases aimed at threatening Iran.

Iranian forces ‘fully prepared’

Hatami said Iran’s armed forces were prepared to confront hostile plans and would take measures necessary to defend the country’s security and interests.

The Iranian army chief argued that US forces should leave the region rather than attempt to expand their military presence.

His latest comments are consistent with previous statements in which he has said Iran’s armed forces are closely monitoring potential threats and remain prepared to respond to aggression.

Hatami has served as chief commander of Iran’s army since his appointment in June 2025.

Trump’s Hormuz comments draw Iranian response

The warning followed provocative comments by US President Donald Trump concerning the future status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has suggested that the strategic waterway could become US territory following an American victory in the conflict with Iran. Hatami rejected the prospect and warned Washington against attempting to take control of the strait.

The competing statements have added to concerns over further escalation around one of the world’s most important maritime energy corridors.

Why the Strait of Hormuz matters

The Strait of Hormuz provides the maritime connection between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and is crucial for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers.

Any prolonged military confrontation or major disruption to commercial shipping through the strait could have significant consequences for global energy supplies, freight costs and oil prices.

Those concerns are already affecting markets. Oil prices moved higher on Monday as US-Iran diplomatic efforts remained stalled and commercial shipping activity through Hormuz slowed sharply.

Brent crude climbed as high as $89.40 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate reached $82.83, according to Reuters. Ship-tracking data cited by Reuters showed only five commodity vessels transited the strait on Saturday and none on Sunday, compared with 31 during the previous weekend.

US-Iran tensions remain elevated

Hatami’s warning comes as prospects for an immediate diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington remain uncertain.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has yet to decide whether to resume negotiations with the United States, although messages continue to be exchanged through third countries.

The combination of stalled diplomacy, reduced shipping traffic and increasingly confrontational rhetoric has kept the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of the wider US-Iran confrontation.

Iran maintains that it is prepared to defend its sovereignty and strategic interests, while Hatami’s latest remarks signal that Tehran would view any US attempt to impose control over the waterway as a major escalation.

With Hormuz playing a critical role in international energy trade, further military escalation around the strait could have consequences extending far beyond Iran and the United States.