TEHRAN, July 7 — Major General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since 2019, has once again threatened to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The warning comes as a direct response to ongoing U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
Salami reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and is a central figure in the country’s military posture. His latest remarks reinforce a long-standing Iranian threat to disrupt oil shipments through the vital waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s petroleum passes.
The IRGC chief oversaw the 2019 seizure of foreign tankers in the Gulf, a period of heightened tensions with Washington. Both the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Salami personally, designating him as a key player in Iran’s confrontational strategy.
His position as commander-in-chief places him at the apex of the IRGC’s expansive operations, which include not only conventional military forces but also Iran’s ballistic missile program and its network of proxy militias across the Middle East. Salami has been a consistent voice of defiance against American pressure.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint. Any Iranian attempt to block the waterway would risk a direct military confrontation with the United States and its allies. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, maintains a constant presence in the region to ensure freedom of navigation.
Analysts note that Salami’s threats, while serious, have historically been followed by calibrated actions rather than a full blockade. The 2019 tanker seizures, for instance, were limited in scope but sent a clear message of Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic.
Washington has not formally responded to the latest statements. However, the Trump administration has maintained a policy of maximum economic pressure on Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions and regional influence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously described the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
For now, the situation remains one of strategic brinkmanship. Salami’s words serve as a reminder that the IRGC, under his command, continues to view the Strait of Hormuz as its most potent leverage against the West. The coming months will test whether this rhetoric escalates into action.
