Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has issued a fresh warning to the United States, saying its forces are waiting for American naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz and claiming the direction of the war will be decided by Tehran.

The comments were made early on Tuesday by IRGC spokesperson Maj Gen Ali Mohammad Naeini, according to Iranian state media, in what appeared to be a direct response to Donald Trump’s latest remarks on securing the strategic shipping lane.

Naeini said Iran’s armed forces were “awaiting” the US naval fleet in the Strait of Hormuz region, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford.

He also claimed that American warships and aircraft had pulled back from the area and were now operating more than 1,000 kilometres away to avoid Iranian missiles and drones.

The warning came after Trump said on Monday that the vital waterway would remain safe and threatened severe consequences if Iran targeted shipping in the strait. He has also suggested the US could take a more direct role in protecting the route, including escorting oil tankers if needed.

Naeini said that if US and Israeli strikes continue, Iran would prevent any oil from being exported through the region.

Two US carrier strike groups have reportedly been deployed to the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R Ford in the Red Sea after passing through the Suez Canal.