Iran claims complete control of the Strait of Hormuz; more than a dozen oil tankers hit by artillery fire.

PANews reported on March 4th, citing Iran's Fars News Agency, that Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, stated that the Strait of Hormuz is now completely under the control of the Iranian Navy, and more than ten oil tankers have been hit by artillery fire in the strait. Akbarzadeh said the Revolutionary Guard Navy had repeatedly warned that the Strait of Hormuz was in a state of war and that any vessel could be hit by artillery fire or drones. However, more than ten oil tankers ignored the warnings and have been hit and burned. Akbarzadeh emphasized that after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to navigation, oil tankers, merchant ships, and fishing vessels are no longer able to pass through the strait.