Mohsen Rezaei, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, said the Strait of Hormuz serves as a strategic deterrent outweighing 'dozens of nuclear bombs' and warned that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crossed Iran's red lines, requiring a 'proportionate response.' The statement follows Trump's comment to NBC that the Strait is open, which Rezaei rejected.
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, issued a new threat on Sunday, calling the Strait of Hormuz a strategic deterrent more important than 'dozens of nuclear bombs' and warning that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crossed Iran's 'most important red lines,' requiring a proportionate response. The statement, carried by Iranian media, comes hours after Trump told NBC that the Strait of Hormuz is open, directly contradicting Rezaei's posture.
The Zioneer has been tracking a rapid escalation of Iranian statements on the Strait since early Sunday. At 09:06 Jerusalem, we reported a series of claims: first, a parliament spokesman said Iran controls the Strait 'with strength' (version 1), then explicitly said Iran seized it 'by force' (version 2). A senior military advisor to the Supreme Leader echoed that (version 3). Later, another official called the Strait a key deterrent component (version 4). Then Rezaei himself said it outweighs 'dozens of nuclear bombs' (version 5) and declared that talk of friendship with the US is meaningless after 'crimes' (version 6). A subsequent version reiterated the Strait's importance (version 7). At 12:42 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported Rezaei specifically warning that Trump and Netanyahu crossed red lines, demanding a 'decisive and proportionate response.' At 15:24, Rezaei again emphasized the Strait's deterrent value, as The Zioneer reported.
These threats follow a broader pattern. On Saturday, June 27, The Zioneer reported Rezaei accusing the US of violating a memorandum of understanding in the Strait and warning of a 'swift and decisive' response. Earlier, on June 19, Iranian state-linked media threatened to close the Strait indefinitely unless Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon. President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if Iran blocks the waterway, most recently vowing to 'blow the sh*t out of' Iran, as The Zioneer reported on June 22.
The actual status of the Strait remains disputed: Trump stated it is open, while Rezaei and other Iranian officials insist Iran controls it by force. There is no indication of immediate de-escalation, and the situation remains volatile.
7 developments
- StrongKhamenei advisor Rezaei accuses US of escalating tensions in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingKhamenei advisor warns Trump, Netanyahu crossed Iran's red lines
- StrongRezaei: US will sabotage talks, seeks permanent military control in southern Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingKhamenei advisor: Iran will extend war to Indian Ocean if blockade continues
Source and signal
- Internal intake