The spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told Fars News Agency on Sunday that the Trump administration is mistaken about negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. 'The IRGC has never spoken with the American enemies,' the statement said, adding that Tehran retains the right to manage the strait and the entire Persian Gulf with 'bravery and courage.' The denial comes amid reports of a divide between the IRGC and Iran's political leadership over diplomatic engagement with Washington.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a categorical denial of any negotiations with the United States on Sunday afternoon, with a spokesperson telling the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency that 'the Trump administration is mistaken' about the existence of talks. 'The IRGC representatives never spoke with the American enemies,' the statement read, asserting that Tehran's management of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf 'is not up for discussion.' The denial is the latest in a series of rejections emanating from Iranian security and military channels throughout the day, reinforcing the hardline position that has characterized the IRGC's stance on the strategic waterway.
The denial follows a morning of conflicting reports. At 05:10 Jerusalem, Iranian state media and Fars News denied any agreement to reopen the Strait or halt the nuclear program, directly contradicting President Trump's claim of a 'principles document' reached with Iran. By 12:32 Jerusalem, a The Zioneer analysis described a deepening internal divide: the IRGC publicly rejecting any deal, while the political tier—including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf—was reportedly willing to accept terms. The IRGC's latest statement aligns firmly with the military camp's uncompromising line, dismissing even the premise of diplomatic engagement.
The IRGC has long asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz. As The Zioneer reported on June 20, the IRGC declared the waterway closed to Israel-linked vessels, and on August 1 raised its alert level to the highest state of combat readiness, threatening regional states hosting U.S. forces. The new denial echoes these earlier declarations, reiterating Iran's sovereignty over the strait and rejecting any diplomatic framework that would limit its authority.
It remains unclear whether the Iranian political leadership continues to pursue negotiations with Washington despite the IRGC's public rejection. The denial does not address the possibility of indirect channels or back-channel communications, and the divide between the IRGC and the political tier—previously reported by The Zioneer—may persist beneath the surface.
16 developments
- StrongIRGC spokesman denies JD Vance claim of US-Iran cooperation arrangement in Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIRGC: US will not dictate war's end, Strait of Hormuz remains closed
- DevelopingIRGC rejects all ceasefire proposals via mediators, says Tehran will not give up Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC sources fume over U.S. 'deception' on Strait of Hormuz deal, weigh re-escalation
Source and signal
- Open-source intake