The Iranian headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, issued a warning on Saturday, stating that the U.S. naval blockade and threats against Iranian ships constitute an 'expansion of warfare' in the region. The statement emphasized that Iran's armed forces are prepared to firmly respond to any hostile actions that target its interests.
The headquarters accused the United States of continuing what it described as 'hostile actions' by attempting to impose an unlawful naval blockade on Iran. It noted that in the past three days, U.S. forces have allegedly threatened Iranian boats, commercial ships, and oil tankers in both coastal and Iranian territorial waters.
The statement further asserted that any threat or military action against Iran would provoke an immediate response, highlighting that Iran's armed forces 'will not tolerate' any U.S. moves deemed hostile.
Meanwhile, the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports persists. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had rerouted 17 commercial vessels, disabled two ships, and inspected two others as part of operations in the region.
These developments arise amidst rising tensions between Washington and Tehran around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil transport routes, alongside ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis and prevent further conflict escalation.