Mohsen Rezaei, the senior military advisor to Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a provocative warning to the United States regarding the escalating maritime standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, Rezaei warned that any attempt by the U.S. Navy to "police" the strategically vital waterway would result in American vessels being targeted and sunk.
The warning comes in the wake of a significant military escalation that began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets. Following those attacks, Tehran moved to halt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade on the strait and major Iranian ports.
Addressing the current U.S. administration, Rezaei questioned the legitimacy of the American presence. "Trump wants to be the policeman in the Strait of Hormuz. Is this your job?" he asked. "Your ships could be sunk by our first missile."
Mohsen Rezaei is a veteran of Iran’s military establishment, having served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997.
His return to the forefront as a top advisor follows the recent ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's third Supreme Leader, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei. Analysts suggest Rezaei’s appointment signals a hardline shift in Iran's military strategy during the ongoing regional conflict.
