Iranian IRGC claims US warships have withdrawn from Gulf and Hormuz waters
IRGC adviser Ali Fadavi said that, for the first time, no US ships are operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman or northern Indian Ocean.
Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, told television viewers that US warships are no longer present in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman or the northern Indian Ocean—a situation he described as unprecedented. He claimed the vessels have moved over a thousand kilometres away, a shift he attributes to the IRGC Navy’s growing authority rather than a voluntary US decision.
Fadavi emphasized Iran’s control of the Hormuz corridor, stating that about 46 % of worldwide oil exports traditionally flow through the strait, far exceeding the modest three-to-four million barrels the US says it can still move daily. He warned that further regional tension would expose US ships to direct IRGC naval and aerospace attacks and would harm American and European interests. According to him, repeated US attempts to enter the strait have been repelled, and any escalation would be detrimental to the United States.
Why it matters
The claim signals a potential shift in naval power in a key oil transit route, affecting global energy markets and geopolitical stability.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Smoke spotted near Saudi East-West oil pipeline as Houthi advances intensify
- Sep 25 President Pezeshkian linked the Strait of Hormuz dispute to U.S. sanctions and the naval blockade in his UN address.
- Sep 25 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York, the first Iranian head of state to set foot in the United States.
- Sep 26 Iran awaited an official U.S. reply to its UN‑transmitted peace initiative.
- Sep 26 In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Han Zheng highlighted China's view that global progress should be built on development and open cooperation. He warned that protectionist policies benefit no one and reiterated support for multilateral dialogue. The address also touched on the Middle East conflict, AI and the Belt and Road initiative, but did not mention Taiwan despite heightened US-China tensions. Analysts noted the speech was routine, with President Xi absent and senior officials rotating representation at the UN.
- Sep 26 Gulf leaders scheduled a meeting with Donald Trump to seek a diplomatic path with Iran.
- Sep 27 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will remain resolute and not retreat despite President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran’s seven‑day ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz reopening proposal.
- Sep 28 Han Zheng’s address emphasized Belt and Road cooperation with three‑quarters of participating nations.
- Sep 29 The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on ten individuals and firms accused of obtaining weapons components for Iran's defence ministry.
- Oct 2 The United States has now sanctioned Iran's automotive and railway sectors.
- Oct 3 A second tanker was hit east of Oman, adding to the earlier incident in the strait.
- Oct 3 A witness observed a large plume of fire and smoke near an Aramco facility in Riyadh on Saturday, with authorities yet to confirm the incident.
- Oct 3 Saudi jets launched 26 strikes on Sanaa following the fire at the Aramco site.
- Oct 4 Houthi spokesperson announced that missiles and drones struck Aramco facilities in Riyadh and eastern Khurais, causing large fires.
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