Iran has issued new threats suggesting it could target and sink American naval vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions surrounding a blockade of the waterway. At the same time, a senior Iranian figure made an extreme claim that a possible US ground intervention would actually benefit Tehran financially through hostage-taking.
Mohsen Rezaee, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and now an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, appeared on state television on Wednesday where he criticized President Donald Trump and mocked US intentions in the region. He accused Washington of trying to act as a “police force” in the strategic shipping route and claimed Iran possesses the capability to strike American naval assets.
Rezaee said that US warships in the region would be vulnerable to Iranian missile attacks, warning that they could be “sunk” if conflict escalated. He also questioned American military confidence in the area, arguing that if Iran’s naval strength had truly been destroyed, the United States would not hesitate to cross through the Strait of Hormuz.
He insisted that Iran would not withdraw from the waterway unless its conditions and “rights” were fully addressed, adding that Tehran, not Washington, would determine the terms of any arrangement. He further argued that Iran is prepared for prolonged conflict, contrasting it with what he described as US reluctance to engage in long wars.
In remarks that drew attention, Rezaee also suggested that a ground war would play to Iran’s advantage, claiming it could lead to the capture of thousands of hostages and that each could be used as leverage for large financial demands.
Meanwhile, the United States is significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East. Reports indicate that more than 10,000 additional troops are being deployed. Around 6,000 are already aboard the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group and its accompanying vessels, while roughly 4,200 more personnel are expected to arrive before the end of the month. The carrier is set to operate alongside other major US naval assets already stationed in the region.
Earlier discussions inside the Pentagon also reportedly included contingency planning for further deployments, including the possibility of ground forces being used to secure key strategic points such as the Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island, or to monitor Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
The buildup comes as diplomatic efforts continue in parallel. A second round of talks is being discussed following earlier negotiations held in Pakistan, which lasted more than 20 hours but ended without agreement. Officials involved in the process say discussions are ongoing despite the lack of a breakthrough.
The White House has said the administration remains cautiously optimistic about reaching a deal aimed at ending the ongoing seven-week conflict. President Donald Trump has also stated that he believes the war is “very close to being over.”