Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed Tuesday that the United States has entirely withdrawn its naval presence from the Persian Gulf, a dramatic assertion that would represent a significant shift in regional military balance if substantiated.
According to reports from Iranian military channels, an IRGC spokesperson identified as Colonel Hussein Mohbei stated that no American warships remain in the Persian Gulf, including vessels from the U.S. Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain. The official claimed that American naval assets have retreated to a distance of at least 500 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz and the gulf entrance [1].
The claim represents a stark contrast to the pre-conflict period. According to the IRGC statement, the Persian Gulf previously hosted 30 to 40 American warships, a presence that the official characterized as having “changed completely” [1]. The spokesperson attributed the shift to what he described as American military incapacity to sustain prolonged operations in the region.
The Fifth Fleet, which operates from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, maintains responsibility for approximately 2.5 million square miles spanning the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and portions of the Indian Ocean. The fleet shares command structures with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).
Iranian officials have made similar assertions regarding American technological capabilities in the region. In early September, an IRGC spokesperson claimed that Iranian forces had captured an advanced unmanned American submarine, stating that no advanced technology could penetrate Iranian surveillance systems in the Strait of Hormuz [2].
The statements emerge amid a seven-month conflict between the United States and Iran. In late September, the Iranian Army reported that while small numbers of ships and quantities of oil have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, these volumes remain insignificant compared to pre-war levels [3]. The same period saw Iranian officials announce rewards for citizens who capture U.S. military personnel during potential ground operations.
U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the Iranian withdrawal claims. Independent verification of naval deployments in the region remains limited, as military movements are typically disclosed through official defense department statements or third-party intelligence assessments.
The assertions carry significant strategic implications for regional power dynamics. Control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-third of global seaborne traded oil passes, has long been a focal point of U.S.-Iran tensions. Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized their capacity to restrict maritime traffic through the chokepoint, while American military presence has traditionally served as a counterbalance to such threats.
Analysts have noted that Iranian military communications often emphasize symbolic victories and deterrence messaging, particularly when directed at domestic audiences. The timing of these statements – coinciding with ongoing conflict – suggests they may serve propaganda purposes alongside any factual military developments.
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