TEHRAN(The COW News Digital) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has issued a fresh warning to the United States, threatening to sink American warships if they approach the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Iranian state news agency IRNA.
Rear Admiral Ali Azmayi, a senior IRGC Navy commander, made the remarks during a televised interview on Tuesday, claiming that Iranian forces were prepared to confront US warships near the strategic waterway’s entrance.
Azmayi said Iranian forces were counting down to a potential confrontation and alleged that American naval vessels were reluctant to approach the area because of the risks involved. However, his statement did not identify any specific US warship as a target or provide details of a planned military operation.
The Iranian commander also claimed that a US aircraft carrier, reportedly worth $13 billion, had moved approximately 700 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz. The claim was not independently verified in the report, and no supporting evidence was provided to establish the vessel’s location or the reason for its alleged movement.
Azmayi challenged Washington to determine the status of the waterway by approaching it directly, arguing that such a move would demonstrate which side exercises control over the strategically important passage.
His remarks underline the continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime security, naval movements and access to the Strait of Hormuz. However, the statement alone does not confirm that an armed confrontation is imminent.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, serving as a major transit route for crude oil, petroleum products and other energy supplies destined for international markets.
Any disruption to shipping through the narrow passage could have significant consequences for global energy markets. Concerns over the security of the route can also influence oil prices, shipping costs and insurance premiums, particularly when military tensions threaten commercial vessels operating in the region.
Iran has repeatedly emphasised its strategic position along the waterway, while the United States has maintained a strong naval presence in the wider Gulf region to protect maritime security and support freedom of navigation.
The latest warning adds to the heightened rhetoric surrounding the two countries’ military activities and competing claims over control of the strategic corridor.
Despite the forceful language, the Iranian commander did not announce a specific attack date, identify an operational target or disclose a detailed military plan. The reported remarks therefore remain a warning rather than confirmation of an imminent strike against American naval forces.
Independent verification of the aircraft carrier claim and the current positions of US naval vessels remains essential to establishing the full operational picture.
With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a critical artery for international energy supplies, further escalation between Iran and the United States could have implications extending well beyond the region, placing maritime security and global oil markets under renewed pressure.
