Iran formalises Strait of Hormuz control as US struggles to sustain war it launched with Israel

Iran has taken another step towards formalising its control of the Strait of Hormuz, as the US threatens unprecedented sanctions while struggling to sustain the war it launched alongside Israel.

An Iranian parliamentary committee has approved the principles of a strategic plan governing security and development in the strait and the Gulf.

Valiullah Bayati, a spokesperson for the parliament’s internal affairs and councils committee, said on Friday that the proposals would now advance for further consideration.

“The strategic action plan to ensure the security and progress of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf was reviewed by the Councils’ Commission and, after hearing the opinions, its general outline was approved,” said Bayati to the Tasnim news agency.

The plan would prevent vessels and equipment belonging to the US, Israel and other countries Iran designates as hostile from passing through the waterway.

“This is because these countries have used the Strait of Hormuz to carry out hostile actions against our country, and have committed unjust and aggressive acts against the Iranian people,” Bayati said, Al Jazeera reported.

Washington responded with another threat of economic punishment, even as its military remains unable to break Iran’s grip on one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would announce new measures against Tehran next week.

“Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures that have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country,” Bessent told Newsmax.

“It will be a combination of economic isolation the world has never seen before, and the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz that will keep anything from going in or out of the Iranian ports,” he added.

The governor of Iran's Central Bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati, said Iran would soon join the Brics-backed New Development Bank, although the lender has not confirmed its accession.

Struggling US war effort

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said its forces continue to decide which ships can use the waterway.

“The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Our control over movements is complete and decisive,” Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei told Tasnim news agency on Friday.

“No movement in this strait escapes the eyes of the IRGC Navy fighters,” he said, adding that “the reality should be seen in the field, not in the communiques and statements of US officials”.

Shipping data supports Tehran’s assertion that traffic remains severely restricted. Maritime analytics company Kpler recorded nine commodity vessels passing through Hormuz on Thursday, up from five on Wednesday but still below August’s daily average of 12.

Five ships entered the Gulf and four sailed towards the Gulf of Oman, with most using the Iranian shipping channel. The data excludes vessels operating with their tracking equipment switched off.

Oil markets reacted to Washington’s threat to maintain its naval blockade indefinitely. Brent crude climbed above $88 a barrel on Friday, while West Texas Intermediate rose beyond $82.

The US is also sending the USS George Washington towards the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose crew has spent more than 260 days at sea.

The deployment would leave the Pacific without a US aircraft carrier for an undetermined period, exposing the widening military cost of Washington’s Iran campaign.

Families and lawmakers have raised the alarm about shortages, unsanitary conditions and deteriorating mental health aboard the Lincoln.

California Representative Mike Levin and three other lawmakers demanded an explanation from the Pentagon, saying that “the plans in the works to relieve the USS Lincoln are not enough”.

The US Central Command (Centcom) has rejected reports that sailors have died aboard the carrier, saying that “the Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea”.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, or the “Secretary of War”, as he likes to be called, dismissed reports of worsening conditions as “completely misrepresented”.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded Hegseth’s dismissal.

“When Pete Hegseth was nominated, everyone knew he was completely incompetent. Now our brave sailors are paying the price in a horrific and unfathomable way,” he said.

“Pete Hegseth must be fired immediately,” Schumer added.