The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday said 33 moremvessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz within the past 24 hours in coordination with and after obtaining permission from its forces.
It made the announcement in a statement published by the IRGC's official news outlet, saying the vessels included oil tankers and commercial and container ships, and that they crossed the strait while their security was ensured by its forces.
The IRGC Navy added that it is exercising smart control over the Strait of Hormuz with strength in the aftermath of the insecurity caused in the waterway following U.S. "aggression" against Iran.
According to the IRGC Navy, a total of 117 vessels had crossed the strait between Tuesday and Saturday. It has stressed that vessels' passage through the strait must be coordinated with and approved by its forces.
On Sunday, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military advisor to Iran's supreme leader, said that managing the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's "legal right" to ensure national security.
Iran's management of the strait is not meant to block free trade, but to prevent military invasion, Rezaei added.
Also on Sunday, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said that the management of the Strait of Hormuz will not fully return to its pre-war status.
The strait is currently under Iran's control, and Iran can facilitate the passage of ships once the state of war ends, said Rezaei.
The spokesperson added that the country's uranium enrichment is non-negotiable, and that the U.S. has no choice but to accept Iran's terms.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait beginning Feb 28 -- the day when U.S. and Israel launched massive military strikes on Iran, when it barred safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The United States has also imposed a naval blockade on the strait, preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway.
33 more ships cross Hormuz Strait in past 24 hours: Iran's navy
