Tehran: The US Navy’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is set to begin shortly, as per Donald Trump’s order.
However, Iran is not going to take this lying down.
Hours before the United States enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, Iran warned that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman will remain safe if its own ports are threatened.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said regional maritime security must be shared.
“Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one… No port in the region will be safe,” the country’s armed forces said.
The Revolutionary Guard added that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s control and open to non-military vessels, but warned that military ships could face a forceful response.
After the US President announced about the blockade a day earlier, following
breakdown of peace talks between the US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad, the US Central Command said it will begin blocking vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran.
US Central Command informed the blockade would be enforced from 5.30 pm in Iran (7.30 pm IST), and would apply to vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. However, ships travelling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran made no bones about its displeasure and issued strong warnings of retaliation.
Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said, “If you fight, we will fight.”
Military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iran still holds “major untouched levers” to counter a blockade.
Trump’s announcement has already disrupted maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz, after ship traffic had partially resumed following the ceasefire last week.
The US President’s blockade decision is expected to have wide economic implications, and likely to further rattle global energy markets.
Oil prices rose sharply after the announcement, with US crude increasing 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude rising 7% to $102.29, compared to around $70 before the conflict began.