Iran's military chief warns Trump against seizing control of Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Amir Hatami has warned U.S. President Donald Trump against any attempt to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, calling such remarks a "big mistake." In a statement carried by Iranian media, Hatami said Iran would not allow the United States to return its military forces and bases to their previous positions in the region. Hatami asserted that the United States has no permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz, and that restoring U.S. bases to their earlier status is no longer possible. He described the strategic waterway as a "divine gift to the Iranian people" and said any price paid to defend it would be returned in kind. The general also stated that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the basic conditions for ending any war, and that Iran's army is rapidly rebuilding its offensive and defensive capabilities. He cautioned Iran's adversaries against misjudging the military's strength and warned against repeating past errors, according to the remarks reported by Iranian outlets.