An advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader warned that the country would sink US ships in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington sought control of the strategic waterway.

"Trump wants to be the 'policeman' of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stated on Iranian television on April 15.

"The presence of these ships poses a great risk to the US military. They would be sunk with the first barrage of Iranian missiles. They are all within range and can be destroyed at any time," Rezaei continued.

The Iranian official also described the scenario of a US military landing in Iran as "wonderful," because Tehran "would capture thousands of hostages, then demand a ransom of $1 billion each."

"At this time, I do not support extending the ceasefire, and this is my personal opinion," Rezaei added. Rezaei served as commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997. He held a hardline stance and was a prominent figure in Iranian politics.

Mohsen Rezaei speaking on television in July 2025. Photo: Aawsat

The US and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 7 to resume diplomatic efforts. The two countries negotiated for approximately 21 hours in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 11, but ultimately failed to reach a consensus on key issues, such as control of the Strait of Hormuz and whether Iran should be allowed to continue enriching uranium.

President Trump subsequently ordered a blockade of Iranian ports starting April 13 to pressure Iran. The US military announced on April 15 that it had forced 10 ships departing from Iran to turn back within the first 48 hours of the blockade.

The Iranian military declared that same day that the US was "undermining the security of Iranian commercial and oil tankers," considered a "violation of the ceasefire." Iran warned that if this situation continues, it will block trade through the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman in retaliation.

Location of the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian

Mediators are pushing for a two-week extension of the ceasefire between the US and Iran and a second round of talks to find a lasting solution to the conflict, but progress is slow, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing informed sources. Both sides have agreed in principle to meet again, but have not yet set a time or location.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US is discussing holding a second round of talks with Iran in Pakistan and expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.