Iran threatens Gulf, Red Sea shipping if US blockade continues
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Iran has warned of a major escalation in regional maritime tensions, with a senior military commander threatening to disrupt shipping across key waterways if a United States naval blockade continues.
Ali Abdollahi, who heads the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters — Iran’s highest operational command coordinating its armed forces — said that continued US actions against Iranian ports and vessels could undermine the fragile ceasefire.
He stated that if the United States persists with what he described as a blockade and creates “insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers,” it would amount to a precursor to violating the ceasefire agreement. Abdollahi warned that in response, Iran’s armed forces would not permit “any exports or imports to continue” through critical maritime routes, including the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea.
He did not clarify which countries might be affected, though the waterways mentioned are among the world’s most vital global trade corridors.
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports began on Monday. By Wednesday, the US military reported that no vessels had successfully crossed the blockade within the first 24 hours, with at least six merchant ships forced to turn back in the Gulf of Oman.
The tensions come despite a ceasefire announced on April 8 following nearly six weeks of conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Efforts to de-escalate remain uncertain. The first round of negotiations between Iran and the US failed to produce a breakthrough. However, US President Donald Trump indicated that talks could resume within the next two days, although Tehran has yet to confirm any such development.
In a separate interview with Fox Business, recorded prior to Iran’s latest warning, Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz “is opening” and that “ships are coming back,” without offering further details.
He added that while “we’re not finished,” he believes the conflict is “very close” to ending and suggested that a “great deal” between the US and Iran remains possible.
