The newly appointed commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, Admiral Ali Ozmai, issued his first official statement on Sunday, vowing to continue the path of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and promising that 'divine revenge against terrorist America and the illegitimate Zionist regime is not far off,' according to Iranian Telegram channels. Ozmai referred to his forces as 'the defenders of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.'
The newly appointed commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, Admiral Ali Ozmai, issued his first official statement on Sunday, vowing to continue the legacy of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and threatening 'divine revenge against terrorist America and the illegitimate Zionist regime.' The statement, carried by Iranian Telegram channels, follows Ozmai's formal appointment on Saturday evening — first reported by The Zioneer at 15:35 Jerusalem on Saturday — and marks the new commander's first public remarks since taking office.
Ozmai's appointment was initially reported by ynet on Saturday and confirmed by The Zioneer later that same hour, with the name given as Ali Azmai in earlier bulletins. The Zioneer's background reporting noted that the IRGC Navy chief had already threatened imminent retaliation against the US and Israel earlier on Saturday, at 12:35 Jerusalem, signaling an end to the mourning period for Khamenei. Over the past weeks, a series of Iranian officials have issued similar vows: IRGC Aerospace Force commander Majid Mousavi on June 15, Defense Minister Amir Hatami on July 3, and judiciary chief Mohsen Ezhe'i on July 1. The new statement extends that pattern into the new command.
Ozmai described his forces as 'the defenders of the strategic Strait of Hormuz' — a reference to the IRGC's asserted control over the waterway, as The Zioneer has reported. The incoming commander replaces Ali Reza Tangsiri, who was killed during the conflict. The broader context, covered by The Zioneer on its IRGC topic page, is a shift in Tehran's posture from mourning to renewed assertiveness following Khamenei's death.
It remains unclear whether the threats are rhetorical or reflect imminent operational planning. The US and Israel have not publicly responded to Ozmai's statement. Additionally, the name discrepancy between the current bulletin ('Ali Ozmai') and the earlier thread ('Ali Azmai') may stem from transliteration variations; the desk has used the spelling as provided in the official statement.
3 developments
- StrongIRGC Navy chief threatens imminent retaliation against US and Israel
- DevelopingIRGC Navy commander threatens to attack hostile warships in Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIranian Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami Vows Revenge for Khamenei
- DevelopingIRGC commander vows revenge for Khamenei's death, threatens to 'wipe out the Zionists'
Source and signal
- Internal intake