Iran’s military on Wednesday warned it could block maritime trade across key regional waters, including the Red Sea, if the United States sustains its naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In a statement aired on state television, the head of Iran’s central military command, Ali Abdollahi, said continued restrictions on Iranian vessels would escalate tensions and undermine existing ceasefire efforts.
He stated that any move by the US to disrupt Iran’s commercial shipping and oil exports would be met with a firm response.
“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea,” Abdollahi said, adding that Iran would act to protect its sovereignty and economic interests.
The warning follows the imposition of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports earlier this week after talks between both countries in Pakistan failed to yield an agreement to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
Despite the blockade, maritime tracking data indicated that some vessels departing Iranian ports had continued operations, with ships reportedly navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media also reported that commercial shipping activities from southern ports persisted over the past 24 hours, suggesting limited disruption to outbound trade.
