Tehran:A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has issued a warning to US warships approaching the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to sink them if they come too close. This statement was reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rear Adm. Ali Azmaei, in televised remarks, stated that Iranian forces are "counting down" for an encounter with US warships, which he claims are hesitant to approach due to their vulnerability. Azmaei mentioned that a US aircraft carrier valued at $13 billion had already repositioned itself 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the strait.

Azmaei challenged the US to test the control of the Strait of Hormuz by entering the area, asserting that the IRGC Navy has dominance over the strait and the Gulf, while Iran's regular navy manages the Gulf of Oman. He also mentioned that Iranian forces exercise "smart control" over the strait, including issuing travel permits for vessels in Iranian waters.

The commander also accused the US and its regional allies of imposing a media blackout on incidents involving "violating vessels" that the IRGC has reportedly punished. He claimed that Iranian forces are currently better prepared than at the onset of the conflict.

Tensions remain high in the region, with ongoing disputes over navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran insists on controlling passage through its waters, while Washington advocates for freedom of navigation. Recent attacks on commercial vessels have exacerbated these maritime tensions.