(DDM) – Iranian military officials have challenged former United States President Donald Trump to send American warships into the Persian Gulf if he truly believes Iran’s naval forces have been destroyed.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the warning came from Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), amid escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Naini dismissed claims attributed to Trump suggesting that Iran’s naval power had been crippled during recent hostilities.
He insisted that Iran maintains full control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and retains strong naval capabilities.
“The Strait of Hormuz is completely under the management of the IRGC Navy and Iran has complete sovereignty,” Naini said in remarks circulated by regional media outlets.
He added that Trump could test those claims by deploying American ships into the Persian Gulf.
“Doesn’t Trump say that he destroyed the Iranian Navy? So if he dares, he can send his ships into the Persian Gulf region,” Naini declared.
The statement represents one of the most direct verbal challenges issued by Iranian military authorities since the outbreak of the current conflict.
The crisis began after joint military strikes by Israel and the United States targeted Iranian positions on February 28.
The attacks marked a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions and triggered a wave of retaliatory operations across the region.
Iranian authorities say the strikes caused significant casualties.
Figures released by Iranian officials indicate that about 1,300 people have died since the beginning of the conflict.
Among those reportedly killed was Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a development that shocked observers across the Middle East and the global diplomatic community.
Iran has responded with a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at US and Israeli interests.
According to Brigadier General Naini, Iranian forces have launched approximately 700 missiles and more than 3,600 drones since the fighting began.
The targets of these operations reportedly include military installations and strategic facilities connected to Israel and its allies.
Some strikes have also reportedly been directed at locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting American military assets.
The expanding scope of the conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war.
One of the most sensitive flashpoints in the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
A significant portion of global crude oil exports passes through the strait each day.
Control of this corridor has long been a strategic priority for Iran.
Iranian officials claim they have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since early March as part of their military response.
Any disruption in the area could have major consequences for global energy markets and international trade.
Security analysts warn that direct naval confrontations in the Persian Gulf could further destabilize the region.
The presence of American naval fleets, Iranian patrol vessels, and allied forces operating in close proximity creates the risk of accidental or deliberate clashes.
Iranian authorities insist their current military operations are designed to deter what they describe as foreign aggression.
Naini stated that the conflict will only end when Iran’s adversaries acknowledge the country’s military strength and deterrence capability.
He said Iran intends to continue what he described as “heavy and destructive attacks” against its enemies until that point is reached.
Meanwhile, diplomatic observers say the growing confrontation highlights the fragile security balance across the Middle East.
Regional governments are closely monitoring the situation due to the potential economic and humanitarian consequences of prolonged warfare.
International calls for de-escalation have increased as global leaders warn that further escalation could trigger wider instability.
For now, the exchange of threats between Tehran and Washington underscores the depth of tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
With naval forces positioned near key shipping routes and missile strikes continuing across multiple countries, the situation remains highly volatile.
