Tehran, 27 March 

The naval arm of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has issued a defiant response to claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a report by Iran's state-owned Press TV, the IRGC Navy dismissed assertions that the vital waterway is open for transit, insisting that it remains under a blockade.

The statement follows recent remarks from the US administration suggesting that the maritime route was functioning. In a direct rebuttal, the IRGC military command made it clear that it maintains full control over the chokepoint.

"The Strait of Hormuz has been closed, and any movement through the strait will be met with a harsh response," the IRGC Navy declared in its statement.

The warning underscores the extreme volatility in the region as Tehran continues to challenge American and Israeli naval operations. As detailed by Press TV, the Iranian military has vowed to protect its maritime boundaries and will not allow unauthorised passage through the strategic channel.

The latest escalation comes amid a broader conflict, with the IRGC reiterating its stance that "any movement through the strait will be met with a harsh response." The declaration serves as a direct warning to international shipping and foreign military forces currently stationed in or near the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty over whether he will enforce or extend the current deadline set for Iran to reopen the Strait. Speaking to reporters on Thursday during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump indicated that a final decision is yet to be made as diplomatic engagement continues.

The President noted that his call would depend on feedback from top US officials involved in the negotiations, including US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. "I don't know yet. I don't know. Mr Witkoff, JD and Jared will tell me whether or not they think it's going along," Trump remarked.

Despite the approaching deadline, Trump signalled that there was still room for negotiations. "We have a lot of time, you know what? It's a day in 'Trump time'. A day -- do you know what it is? That's an eternity," he added, referring to the extension he previously granted until Friday.

This diplomatic window follows an earlier announcement on Monday, where Trump instructed the US Department of War to delay military action against Iranian power plants and energy sites for five days. In a post on Truth Social, he described "very good and productive conversations" aimed at resolving regional hostilities.

Trump stated that the decision to pause strikes was based on the "tenor and tone" of these discussions, which he characterised as "in-depth, detailed, and constructive." He noted that the US and Iran were discussing a "complete and total resolution" of their hostilities in the Middle East.

However, during the recent Cabinet meeting, Trump offered a characteristically blunt assessment of the Iranian leadership, describing them as "lousy fighters but great negotiators." He dismissed reports that Washington was the primary party driving a diplomatic resolution.

Instead, the US President asserted that the impetus for a ceasefire is coming directly from Tehran as hostilities enter their fourth week. "They're begging to make a deal, not me," Trump stated, maintaining his position even as the IRGC continues its defiant rhetoric regarding the maritime blockade.