On Monday, Gen. Alireza Tangsiri, the naval head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said Iran had full control of the Persian Gulf. He added that the U.S. Navy, with its mission “to ensure freedom of navigation†worldwide, had no business being there.
These are bold, provocative statements made to influence the ongoing negotiations over sanctions and the fate of the 2015 nuclear agreement. But such a threat needs to be backed up with hardware, and Iran feels it has what it takes to except control over this vital waterway.
The geography favors the Iranians. They don’t need to blanket the entire Gulf to control it, just the narrowest parts such as the Strait of Hormuz, and those passages are vital to the world economy. About 30 percent of the world’s oil tankers pass through the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, which is only 33 km. (20 mi.) wide at its narrowest point. It’s a natural chokepoint.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a22843206/iran-control-persian-gulf/?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=082818
What the scientific explanation misses is that bombers will be over the capital of Iran in no time with what could be described as 'Emphasis' should Iran be stupid enough to undertake some direct action in blocking international waters.
