File Photo: Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps march in the capital Tehran. AFP
"In response to the order of the commander-in-chief, we will deliver the harshest blows to the aggressor enemy while maintaining the strategy of closing the Strait of Hormuz," Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri said in a post on X.
Earlier, in a statement read on state television, Khamenei said the country's forces must keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed.
"The leverage of closing the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used," Khamenei said of the waterway through which vast amounts of oil and gas are normally shipped.
The televised statement came as the United States admitted its army is currently "not ready" to escort tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz because its assets are focused on striking Iran.
"It'll happen relatively soon, but it can't happen now. We're simply not ready," US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC.
"All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran's offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities."
Wright's comments came as an attack on two oil tankers off Iraq killed at least one person and sent oil prices briefly soaring past $100.
He added that it was "quite likely" such escorts would be taking place by the end of the month.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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