The Iranian military declared it has full control over the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman's waters, stating there is no need to deploy naval mines and warning foreign countries not to interfere.
On 23 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Ibrahim Solfagari, the Iranian military spokesperson, firmly announced that Iran has "complete" control over the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and offshore waters of Oman, countering claims that Tehran needs to lay naval mines in the gulf to assert its position.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran exercises full and strong control over the Persian Gulf, Oman's territorial waters, and the Strait of Hormuz," Solfagari said in a statement released by Iranian media.
"Therefore, with sufficient advantage and power, there is no need to lay naval mines in the Persian Gulf, and we will use all possible means to maintain security as necessary."
Solfagari added that Iran's military is capable of securing the Persian Gulf and warned that countries outside the region "have no right to intervene in this area."
Previously, CNN reported citing two sources familiar with U.S. intelligence that Iran had begun placing naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic global energy chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil is transported.
Source:cnn