Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the United States continued what it described as threats and interference in regional maritime traffic.

In a statement, the IRGC said the strategic waterway could not be reopened while US officials maintained a confrontational approach and American forces continued intervening in shipping movements in the region.

“The Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened as long as the bluster and threats of US officials and their interference in maritime movements in the region continue,” the statement said.

The IRGC warned that continued US actions would further complicate the security situation in the Gulf.

It also claimed that two oil tankers, allegedly guided by US military aircraft, attempted to pass overnight through what it described as an “unsafe route” south of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the IRGC, both vessels turned back after a major fire broke out aboard one of the tankers.

The claim could not be independently verified.

Reaffirming Iran’s control over the waterway, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz falls under its authority and insisted that no external power “coming from thousands of kilometres away” would be allowed to interfere in the region.

The statement came hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had carried out a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran, saying the attacks were launched in response to attempted missile strikes targeting US forces stationed in the Middle East.