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Iran’s military warned Wednesday that it would block trade through the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the U.S. naval blockade continues, saying any continued disruption to Iranian commercial shipping and oil tankers would amount to a step toward violating the ceasefire.
In a statement carried by Iranian state television, Ali Abdollahi, the head of Iran’s military central command center, said continued U.S. action against Iranian maritime traffic would be seen as a direct threat.
He said that if the United States continues its blockade and “creates insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers,” it would constitute “a prelude” to violating the ceasefire.
The warning was issued as Iran accused the United States of continuing a naval blockade that affects its commercial vessels and oil tankers.
According to the statement, Iran said such actions would not be tolerated if they continued.
Abdollahi said the Iranian military was prepared to respond by shutting down trade routes across several key waterways.
“The powerful armed forces of the Islamic republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea,” Abdollahi said in the statement carried by Iranian state television.
The remarks pointed to a possible widening of disruption beyond the Gulf to include the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the standoff with the United States continues.
Iran also linked its warning directly to the status of the ceasefire.
Abdollahi said continued U.S. moves against Iranian shipping would amount to “a prelude” to violating the ceasefire.
The statement framed the blockade not only as an economic and maritime issue, but also as a challenge to the terms of the current truce.
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