Iran warns US against 'interference' in Strait of Hormuz management

Iran's military has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring it "does not and will not allow" US interference in the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, carried by state broadcaster IRIB, comes after President Donald Trump suggested Washington would likely take control of operations in the strategic waterway.

Tehran's Warning and Regional Call

The Iranian military stated that Washington's "repeated adventures mischief to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz have seriously jeopardized the security of the region." It vowed to "deal severely with any disruption and insecurity to the passage of commercial ships and tankers by the aggressive and bandit American army outside of Iran's designated route and without the permission of the armed forces." The military also warned regional countries against cooperating with US forces in the waterway.

Trump's Comments on the Strait

Early Monday, President Trump told Fox News that Washington would likely take control of operations in the Strait of Hormuz and expected other countries to pay for the protection. "We're going to guard it. We're going to get paid for guarding it - a lot of money. We want to be reimbursed for putting our people in danger," he said. The remarks represent a significant US assertion of control over the waterway, which Iran has consistently claimed falls under its jurisdiction.

Strategic Importance of the Strait

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil production passes. Any disruption to its operations would have profound consequences for global energy markets and regional security. The exchange of warnings follows a series of tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran over the past week, as both sides continue to escalate their rhetoric and military presence in the region.