WANA (Aug 18) – Iran’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the Strait of Hormuz is now “fully under the control” of Iranian forces, emphasizing the strategic importance of the key waterway to global energy markets.

 

Major General Mostafa Izadi said the Strait of Hormuz is comparable in strategic importance to “nuclear energy,” given its impact on global energy supplies, agriculture and industry. He said the current situation has made Iran’s adversaries more cautious about taking further action.

 

Izadi also said that the pressure on Iran goes beyond issues such as its nuclear program and human rights, arguing that external powers have sought to weaken Iran’s political system and promote its fragmentation. He said Iran has withstood sanctions, blockades and military pressure, while emphasizing the role of public support in countering these challenges.

 

Referring to developments across the region, Izadi said resistance groups also exert influence over other strategic waterways, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and said the regional balance of power is changing.

 

He described Iran’s current position as the result of a combination of political leadership, public support and military capabilities, saying the Islamic Republic is now confronting major global powers.

 

His remarks come as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of international security and economic concerns. As one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, any disruption to shipping through the waterway could have significant consequences for global energy markets and supply chains.