Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei has publicly lauded the Iranian armed forces’ “show of force” in the Strait of Hormuz, using the occasion to underscore Tehran’s asserted control over the strategic waterway amid the ongoing 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis. In remarks reported by The Associated Press (AP), Mohseni‑Ejei praised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy and other branches of the armed forces for what he described as a firm demonstration of national power in the Strait, even as the United States maintains a parallel naval blockade and freedom‑of‑navigation posture there.
Iranian state television and semi‑official outlets have recently broadcast footage of IRGC forces seizing and escorting several commercial vessels transiting the Strait, including the container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, which Tehran said were operating without proper permits and were “jeopardising maritime security.” The Judiciary Chief’s comments come days after these operations were shown on national TV, reinforcing the narrative that Iran continues to exert military and bureaucratic control over the Strait and can enforce its own rules on foreign shipping.
Mohseni‑Ejei has also warned against what he calls “savage aggression” by the United States and its allies, insisting that Iran’s leadership and security apparatus remain fully prepared for any escalation. His remarks align with broader Iranian messaging that Tehran has not backed down from its core demands in the current round of US‑Iran negotiations, which include the reopening of the Strait, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, and broader sanctions relief.