Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi has warned that any vessel violating Iranian security protocols in the southern waters “will put itself at risk and face serious damage.”

General Abdollahi made the remarks during a visit to the coast of the Sea of Oman on Monday.

“Any vessel that attempts to deviate from the designated route or disregard Iranian procedures, for any reason, will put itself at risk and face serious damage.”

General Abdollahi said the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) maintains full control over the Persian Gulf coastline, its islands, and the Strait of Hormuz, with all maritime traffic in the area under their close surveillance.

The Iranian commander rejected claims by US officials that the Strait of Hormuz is open and free for navigation, stressing that the strategic waterway is completely closed and is being managed by the formidable naval force of the IRGC.

Iran restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the criminal US-Israeli aggression, which began on February 28 and came to a halt in early April after 40 days.

On June 17, Tehran and Washington signed a Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), whose Article 5 places responsibility for reopening and managing the Strait squarely in Iran’s hands.

However, Washington attempted to undermine Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait and imposed a naval blockade in violation of the war-ending deal, prompting Tehran to declare the vital global energy chokepoint closed to all traffic.

Additionally, in his remarks, General Abdollahi said the Army’s naval and ground forces remain on high alert and maintain full surveillance and control over the open waters of the Sea of Oman and its coastline.

Army forces, he said, are closely monitoring all enemy movements in the region and do not allow unauthorized vessels to pass through.

“The armed forces maintain a significantly enhanced state of readiness across the Persian Gulf, its islands, the Strait of Hormuz, and the coastal areas of the Sea of Oman.”

“Enjoying more advanced equipment than ever before, Iran’s armed forces have a robust and formidable presence throughout the region and will counter any acts of mischief or aggression by the enemy with greater force than previously,” General Abdollahi said.