Iran Says More Than 500 Telecom Sites Hit During War as Tehran Rejects US Control of Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Aug 15: Iran’s Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi said Saturday that more than 500 telecommunications sites were struck during the war, with some facilities hit again after being repaired. He said the government and telecom operators worked to maintain phone, messaging and other communications, while efforts to disrupt links between mainland Iran and its Persian Gulf islands were also quickly overcome. Hashemi added that facilities supporting aerospace research and development were damaged, but space-industry services continued operating, while the ministry worked with state broadcaster IRIB to keep broadcasts on air.

Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei rejected US President Donald Trump’s remarks about declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory, saying Washington would never gain control of the strategic waterway. Mohseni-Ejei said Iran considers itself the “owner and ruler” of the waterway and warned that any force attempting to challenge Tehran there would be defeated. He also argued that Iran’s position is supported by international law and national sovereignty, saying US warships had already failed to establish control over the strait.