Iran claims control of Strait of Hormuz, warns US warships to stay out of Persian Gulf

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed full control over the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and warned it would block US military vessels from entering the Persian Gulf, escalating tensions as Washington hinted at a possible strike on Tehran. US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack said a strike could occur over the weekend, though President Donald Trump later distanced himself from the remarks while warning of another "little Epic Fury" if no agreement is reached. The IRGC also claimed two supertankers carrying over 4.5 million barrels of crude struck naval mines in the waterway, though the report remains unverified. Iranian military chief Major General Ali Abdollahi dismissed US assertions that Iran's nuclear facilities had been destroyed, questioning why Washington still raised concerns if they were eliminated. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Persian Gulf oil exports have surpassed pre-conflict levels despite Iran's disruption attempts.