Ghalibaf challenges US claims of Hormuz control
Shafaq News- Tehran/ Washington
Iranian forces have full control over the Strait of Hormuz, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday, dismissing US claims of control over the strategic waterway.
In a video speech, Ghalibaf likened US attempts to escort vessels through the strait to ‘smuggling operations’ and said Iranian forces were directly confronting them. At least 120 ships crossed the waterway daily before the conflict, compared with far fewer now, according to Ghalibaf. “The enemy’s recent strikes came because we imposed our power in the Strait of Hormuz, and we delivered a crushing response.”
Iran had made as much military progress over the past 15 months as it had during the previous decade. “The enemy does not control us. We control the battlefield,” he said, adding that Iran would have stronger and more extensive military capabilities in any future round of fighting.
Ghalibaf also said that Iranian strikes on US bases in several countries after the ceasefire showed that Washington could no longer counter Iran’s missiles and firepower.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a discussion on the sidelines of the G20 meetings in North Carolina, “Within two years, Hormuz will just be a waterway with no value.” He accused Iran of trying to use the strait as a “chokepoint,” saying it was not one for the United States but remained critical for many other countries.
Bessent revealed that Washington was considering sanctions on aircraft leasing companies doing business with Iran, including entities dealing with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He noted that the United States was likely to announce sanctions against one bank this week and another the following week, adding that Washington had received strong support from its allies.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that by September 1, US forces had diverted 84 commercial vessels, disabled three ships and boarded two others as part of the blockade.
A U.S. Sailor directs the takeoff of a UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter from the flight deck of USS Boxer (LHD 4) as the amphibious assault ship sails in the Arabian Sea enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Sept. 1, U.S. forces have redirected 84 commercial vessels,… pic.twitter.com/c2ftqAnaIv
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 1, 2026
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) earlier today reported that it had received a report of an incident involving an oil tanker and military forces in the Indian Ocean.
