TEHRAN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said on Saturday the country's armed forces are controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and no friendly or hostile vessel can transit the waterway without their permission.

Controlling the Strait of Hormuz is "an inherent right" of Iran, of which the country had not made use for years, Akraminia said, according to footage of his remarks carried by Iranian media.

"At present, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps in the west and the country's army in the east are controlling the strait with power, and no ship, friend or foe, will have the right to pass without the permission and authorization of our forces," he said.

Meanwhile, "different countries are anxiously and urgently requesting Iran through telexes and letters to let their ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari as saying.

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz beginning Feb. 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory. ■