Iran’s military chief has vowed to prevent US warships from returning to the Persian Gulf, escalating the exchange of threats between Tehran and Washington over military deployments and the future of political negotiations.
Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, made the remarks in comments published by Iranian media on Saturday, October 24. According to the semi-official ISNA news agency, Abdollahi said US President Donald Trump would have to dream of American forces entering the Persian Gulf again, adding that Iran would not permit such a return.
Abdollahi also claimed that the US Navy could no longer approach waters surrounding the Persian Gulf or Iran’s territorial waters. These statements reflect Tehran’s declared position, but the claims about US naval movements and operational capabilities have not been independently verified in the information available.
Last week, Hossein Mohebi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that US military vessels had moved approximately 600 to 700 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz. That claim has also not been independently confirmed.
Trump, meanwhile, has said that US forces have destroyed Iran’s air force, navy and missile capabilities, and that the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the US military. On Friday, he warned that new military operations could be launched if Iran did not agree to a political deal.
The competing statements underscore the continuing tensions between the two countries, with both sides issuing warnings over military power and control of strategically important waters. However, the assertions made by Iranian and US officials should not be treated as established facts without independent evidence.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international shipping route, making any escalation in the surrounding region a potential concern for maritime security and global energy supplies. Whether the latest threats lead to further military action or affect diplomatic efforts remains unclear.
