Iran’s army said on Saturday, November 7, 2026, that its forces are stronger than they were at the start of the war, while Tehran keeps the Strait of Hormuz closed until United States demands are met, according to reports carried by several outlets.
Army Spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said Iran’s forces had grown stronger and more confident, according to state news agency IRNA, as reported by The Hindu. Speaking as quoted by the Straits Times, Akraminia said the armed forces are "stronger than they were at the beginning of the war" and "possess greater motivation, commitment, and self-confidence."
Akraminia also said Tehran retained control of the Strait of Hormuz and that it would remain closed until US demands were met, according to Dawn. The claim about the army’s strength is not independently verified in any of the sources reviewed, and no response from the US government or military to it has been reported.
The war began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, after months of deadlock, according to The Hindu and the Straits Times. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, and Tehran has sought to limit traffic through it, according to Dawn.
US President Donald Trump said Iran has had its economy and military severely damaged over eight months of war and wants a deal, according to Dawn. On November 6, the US military said it was offering a $20 million reward "and possible relocation" for information about Iran’s nuclear programme, Dawn reported.
On the same day as the army’s statement, Tasnim news agency reported early Saturday that two missiles had struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Hindu. No official information about any damage is available. The Iranian army said its air defences had "struck and destroyed" a US drone flying over Qeshm Island, according to the Straits Times, but did not say whether the island was attacked.
The Tasnim missile report is unconfirmed, and this account relies on a single outlet for it. A separate Hindu item said Iran is ready to reopen Hormuz in two days if the US agrees to its demands, but only its headline was available, so its details are unverified.
Mediators are working to prevent any resumption of fighting, and Trump called Qatar’s emir on November 6 to discuss efforts to end the war. Sources give no detail on the content of those efforts, and no timeline or outcome has been reported.
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This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.