Iran says forces have full oversight of Hormuz Strait movements

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told reporters on Thursday that Iranian forces maintain “full oversight” of all vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement came amid heightened regional tensions and a recent increase in naval activity by both commercial and military ships navigating the narrow waterway that links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Amirabdollahian emphasized that Iran’s maritime surveillance capabilities, including radar installations and patrol vessels, enable continuous monitoring to ensure security and prevent unauthorized incursions.

Iranian officials have reiterated that the oversight is intended to safeguard the strait’s strategic importance and to protect regional trade routes, which handle a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments. The declaration follows a series of diplomatic exchanges with the United States and allied nations over navigation rights and recent incidents involving alleged violations of Iranian territorial waters. While Iran asserts that its monitoring is routine, the remarks underscore ongoing concerns about freedom of navigation and the potential for further diplomatic negotiations to address maritime security in the region.