ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran warned on Wednesday to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea if a US naval blockade on its ports, imposed earlier this week, remains in place. The threat from Tehran risks further dimming already fragile prospects for renewed dialogue between the two belligerents in the coming days.
“If the aggressive and terrorist United States continues its illegal actions in imposing a naval blockade in the region and creates insecurity for Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers, this will constitute a violation of the ceasefire,” said the spokesperson of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command, which oversees Iran’s military actions.
“Iran’s powerful armed forces will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Red Sea.”
Tehran’s warning comes amid mounting speculation that the United States and Iran could resume negotiations in Islamabad in the coming days, after the previous round of talks ended without a breakthrough.
The negotiation between Washington and Tehran occurred after the two parties agreed to a ceasefire on April 8, following six weeks of intense bombardment of Iran by the US and Israel.