Iran Will Not Leave Strait of Hormuz: Mohsen Rezai

Web Desk
April 17, 2026

TEHRAN – Iran will not withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz until its “full rights” are recognized by the international community, a top military advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has warned, as the standoff with the United States over the strategic waterway intensifies.

Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who was appointed as Khamenei’s senior military advisor last month, made the remarks in an interview with Iranian state media.

‘Iran Ready for Long War’

Speaking to Iranian media, Rezaei struck a defiant tone, asserting that while the United States fears a prolonged conflict, Tehran is fully prepared for an extended war.

“The Americans are constantly afraid of war, while Iran is fully prepared for a long war and has extensive experience in this regard,” Rezaei said.

He emphasized that any future agreement must be drafted with greater precision, particularly regarding economic issues, and that Iran is now the side setting preconditions in the current negotiations.

‘We Will Sink American Ships’

Rezaei issued a stark warning to Washington regarding the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which CENTCOM announced had been fully implemented earlier this week.

“Iranian launchers are ready to sink American ships,” Rezaei declared, adding that leaving the Strait of Hormuz is “impossible until our full rights are recognized”.

He specifically warned that if the US attempts to “police” the Strait of Hormuz, American vessels would be targeted by Iranian missiles.

“These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles and have created a great danger for the US military. They can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them,” he said .

Challenge to US Military Claims

Rezaei directly challenged US assertions about the effectiveness of the military campaign against Iran’s armed forces.

“If the Iranian navy has supposedly been destroyed, then why does the United States not dare to cross the Strait of Hormuz?” he asked, referencing statements by President Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

No Ceasefire Extension: Personal View

While emphasizing that he follows the decisions of the country’s leadership, Rezaei revealed his personal opinion on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

“I am not in favor of extending the ceasefire at all, and this is a personal view,” he stated.

The current temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on April 21, with both sides racing to finalize a potential agreement before the truce ends.

Ground Invasion Threat: ‘We Would Take Thousands of Hostages’

Rezaei also addressed the possibility of a US ground invasion of Iran, warning that such a move would be disastrous for American forces.

“It would be great if the US launched a ground invasion of Iran, as we would take thousands of hostages and then for each hostage we would get a billion dollars,” he said.

Iran agrees to hand over Nuclear Material: Trump

Context of the Standoff

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become the focal point of the confrontation between Iran and the US.

The US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports following the collapse of initial ceasefire talks in Islamabad . The blockade has effectively halted most maritime trade entering and leaving Iran, with CENTCOM reporting that 10 vessels have already been forced to turn around.

Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed that a new round of talks is expected to take place soon in Islamabad, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing Pakistan as “incredible mediators”.