Iran claims it can fully control the Strait of Hormuz without deploying warships
¬ Expert: No one believes the EU expeditionary force will actually be formed—it exists only in theory
¬ Cuban president meets U.S. lawmakers, says ready for dialogue
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The Iranian military has publicly stated that it can completely control the Strait of Hormuz without the need for naval vessels.
According to reports, this capability stems from its shore-to-ship missile systems and a large number of suicide drones. For example, Iran’s domestically developed "Khorramshahr-15" medium-to-long-range surface-to-air missile defense system is equipped with passive phased-array radar and uses the "Seyyed-3" missile, with a range of up to 120 kilometers.
In addition, Iran possesses underwater drones capable of blockading the Hormuz Strait within 20 minutes. The "Azhdar" underwater drones deployed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard feature high stealth and strong resistance to radar detection, enabling continuous travel at speeds between 18 and 25 knots for up to 24 hours, with an estimated operational range exceeding 600 kilometers—capable of creating persistent underwater threats.
Moreover, sea mines can also be used to obstruct maritime channels.
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Sven Biegun, a senior expert at the Royal Institute of International Relations in Belgium, said the idea of forming a 50,000–60,000-strong expeditionary force composed of troops from EU member states is merely "paper talk," and no one believes it will actually come into being.
Quoting Biegun, The Economist reported: "The pan-European expeditionary force exists only in theory. No one believes this army will ever actually be formed."
The expert believes a more plausible scenario is that EU countries establish a rapid reaction force of around 5,000 personnel.
In November 2025, Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, Chief of the European Union Military Staff, stated he does not expect the formation of a pan-European military in the near term. He argued that deepening bilateral cooperation would be far more realistic and effective.
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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez met with U.S. lawmakers, condemning energy blockades as criminal acts and expressing Cuba's readiness for dialogue.
In a post on social media platform X, Díaz-Canel wrote: "During my meeting with U.S. Congress members Pramila Jayapal and Jonathan Jackson, I condemned the damage caused by such criminal acts of blockade—particularly the current U.S. government’s energy embargo and the threat of even more aggressive actions."
The Cuban president also stated: "I confirm that our government is ready for serious and responsible bilateral dialogue and is seeking solutions to address existing differences."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861799123264516/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author