Claim
the Strait of Hormuz is "under Iran's control and management"
Attributed to Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force on Fars news agency
Evidence
The quote is real and widely reported: Reuters (distributed via Business Recorder, The Star, Oman Observer, CBS News, Jerusalem Post) confirmed that Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, told Iran's semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that the Strait of Hormuz is 'under Iran's control and management.' This statement came amid an active US-Iran war in which President Trump had claimed the US has 'total control' over the strait and might 'keep it.' Iran's military command separately called Trump's claims 'lies and fabrications' (reported by Al Jazeera, France24, CNBC). CNN, however, published an analysis quoting maritime and military experts (including analyst Carl Schuster and retired Col. Cedric Leighton) concluding that neither the US nor Iran has full/total control of the strait, describing the situation instead as a military standoff with traffic through Hormuz effectively stalled. No dedicated fact-check from Reuters Fact Check, AFP Fact Check, Bellingcat, or EUvsDisinfo specifically adjudicating this claim was found.
Supporting sources
Contradicting sources
Assessment
The attribution and wording of Taeb's statement is independently corroborated by Reuters wire copy carried across multiple outlets, so the quote itself is confirmed as accurately reported; however, the underlying substantive assertion of full Iranian control is a contested claim in an active war, and outside analysis (CNN) indicates neither side has total control, so the statement should be presented as one side's assertion rather than an established fact.
Confidence
Some independent corroboration was found, but it isn't yet conclusive.
Timeline
Aug 13, 2026, 9:43 AM UTC
DisputedInitial assessment.
Aug 16, 2026, 9:37 AM UTC
ConfirmedThe attribution and wording of Taeb's statement is independently corroborated by Reuters wire copy carried across multiple outlets, so the quote itself is confirmed as accurately reported; however, the underlying substantive assertion of full Iranian control is a contested claim in an active war, and outside analysis (CNN) indicates neither side has total control, so the statement should be presented as one side's assertion rather than an established fact.
First observed Aug 13, 2026, 9:43 AM UTC · Last reviewed Aug 16, 2026, 9:37 AM UTC