Iran’s IRGC calls Trump ‘a liar’ over nuclear claims, warns on Hormuz oil route

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has flatly rejected US allegations about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, with its spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi calling President Donald Trump “a big liar” as tensions between the two countries escalate.

“The enemy knows that Iran is not after nuclear weapons... Their issue with Iran is not its nuclear programme but rather its vastness, which they want to destroy,” Mohebbi told Reuters. Trump has repeatedly cited preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb as a key reason for the US military offensive against the country.

The remarks come as Tehran awaits a formal US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil shipping lane.

IRGC challenges US claims about Strait of Hormuz

Mohebbi also dismissed assertions that Iran has lost control over the Strait of Hormuz, which sits at the heart of the standoff. “The fact that the Americans might manage, at great expense, considerable trouble, and high risk to sneak a small vessel through the Strait of Hormuz under cover of darkness to export, say, 100 or 200 barrels of oil does not mean the Strait is open,” he said.

But data from Kpler suggests oil exports through the waterway are recovering, with daily flows potentially reaching nearly 10 million barrels, about half the pre-war level. The competing narratives underscore the deep uncertainty over shipping and energy supplies in this strategic corridor.

Iran says US military bases create regional insecurity

The IRGC spokesperson also questioned the value of American military bases across West Asia, arguing they have failed to deliver security. “In a message to neighbours, I believe that the governments and nations of the region have come to realise that US Bases not only fail to provide security, but are themselves a source of insecurity,” Mohebbi said, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

He accused Washington of having “poured trillions of dollars into the region” and deployed vast military infrastructure while claiming to protect regional stability. “In reality, these bases not only failed to do so, they turned into a source of instability,” he alleged, adding that the bases “could not defend themselves.” These claims come from the IRGC spokesperson and were not independently verified in the supplied report.

Iran awaits US response to Hormuz reopening plan

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said he expects a formal US response on Tuesday regarding Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that regional infrastructure could be targeted if Iran’s security is threatened.

“In a region where we cannot sell oil, no one else will sell oil either; or if our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will remain safe,” Ghalibaf said in a video released by Iranian state television. His warning came as diplomatic efforts over the waterway continued amid broader US-Iran tensions.

FAQ

Is Iran really seeking nuclear weapons?

The IRGC denies it, but the US cites nuclear ambitions as a reason for military action. Independent verification is lacking.

What is the status of the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran claims it remains under its control, but Kpler data shows oil exports recovering to about half of pre-war levels.

Why are US bases controversial in the region?

Iran argues they create instability, while Washington says they provide security. The IRGC’s claims are disputed.