IRGC Navy Chief: U.S. Carriers ‘Do Not Dare’ Approach Hormuz
TEHRAN — The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy said Tuesday that U.S. aircraft carriers do not dare approach the Strait of Hormuz because of their vulnerability, adding that American warships have withdrawn some 700 kilometers from the strategic waterway and that his forces are counting down the days until they enter range.
Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei, speaking in a television
interview Tuesday night, said: “Today, with God’s grace and the fighters of the IRGC Navy, we stand against the malicious enemies. The US Army has turned into a fuel smuggler and its fleet has become useless because they are vulnerable and do not dare approach Iran.”
Ozmaei said Iran has turned its tactical weaknesses into strengths. “If the Americans want to see whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, let them enter the field to see who controls it.”
The IRGC Navy commander said the U.S. has “turned into a fuel smuggler with its seven fleets,” adding that “America’s $13 billion carrier has become useless and has moved 700 kilometers away from the Strait of Hormuz because it does not dare approach the strait.”
“We are waiting for the U.S. carriers to approach the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz so we can sink them,” Ozmaei said. “We are counting down the days, moment by moment, for this to happen.”
Ozmaei said Iran has so far shown only “one or two examples” of offending vessels being punished, adding the U.S. and its regional partners have imposed a media blackout to prevent the world from learning that violating ships are being disciplined.
“For this reason, we published two examples of the punishment of offending vessels,” he said.
Ozmaei said the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are under the control of the IRGC Navy, while the Sea of Oman is controlled by Iran’s regular Army. “The siege is beyond the Sea of Oman, in the Arabian Sea,” he said.
“The IRGC Navy controls the Strait of Hormuz intelligently,” he said. “We issue permits to the number of vessels that should travel to and from Iran through the Iranian waterway, according to the chain of command.”
The IRGC Navy commander said Iran and its neighbors can establish economic, political, and military security without U.S. involvement.
“We can establish economic, political, and military security with our neighbors. We do not need the Americans. They are seeking to destroy the wealth of the people of the region.”
He added: “Today, the U.S. Army has been humiliated and has reached misery and helplessness.”
Ozmaei said Iran’s position today is better than in the early days of the imposed war. “Today our fighters are more prepared than yesterday,” he said.
“Our dear people who are in the field should know that the fighters of the IRGC Navy are also in the field and deal with violators without any courtesy,” he said.
Ozmaei said Iran has turned its tactical weaknesses into strengths. “If the Americans want to see whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, let them enter the field to see who controls it.”
The IRGC Navy commander said the U.S. has “turned into a fuel smuggler with its seven fleets,” adding that “America’s $13 billion carrier has become useless and has moved 700 kilometers away from the Strait of Hormuz because it does not dare approach the strait.”
“We are waiting for the U.S. carriers to approach the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz so we can sink them,” Ozmaei said. “We are counting down the days, moment by moment, for this to happen.”
Ozmaei said Iran has so far shown only “one or two examples” of offending vessels being punished, adding the U.S. and its regional partners have imposed a media blackout to prevent the world from learning that violating ships are being disciplined.
“For this reason, we published two examples of the punishment of offending vessels,” he said.
Ozmaei said the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are under the control of the IRGC Navy, while the Sea of Oman is controlled by Iran’s regular Army. “The siege is beyond the Sea of Oman, in the Arabian Sea,” he said.
“The IRGC Navy controls the Strait of Hormuz intelligently,” he said. “We issue permits to the number of vessels that should travel to and from Iran through the Iranian waterway, according to the chain of command.”
The IRGC Navy commander said Iran and its neighbors can establish economic, political, and military security without U.S. involvement.
“We can establish economic, political, and military security with our neighbors. We do not need the Americans. They are seeking to destroy the wealth of the people of the region.”
He added: “Today, the U.S. Army has been humiliated and has reached misery and helplessness.”
Ozmaei said Iran’s position today is better than in the early days of the imposed war. “Today our fighters are more prepared than yesterday,” he said.
“Our dear people who are in the field should know that the fighters of the IRGC Navy are also in the field and deal with violators without any courtesy,” he said.