Iran warns no Gulf port safe after US naval blockade

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that “no port in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe” after the United States imposed a naval blockade on all traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. The statement, carried by state broadcaster IRIB, declared that regional port security is “either for everyone or for no one.”

Denying passage to enemy vessels

The IRGC emphasized that the Iranian armed forces consider defending the country’s legal rights a natural and lawful duty. “Enemy-affiliated vessels” will be denied passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while other ships may transit subject to regulations set by Tehran. Citing “continuing enemy threats,” the IRGC said Iran “will firmly implement a permanent mechanism for controlling the Strait of Hormuz” even after the war ends.

US blockade takes effect

Washington announced it would enforce a blockade on Iranian ports as of 1400GMT on Monday. The IRGC called the US move “illegal” and “amount to piracy.” The US action followed rare direct talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad on Saturday, which ended without an agreement. The conflict began on Feb. 28 after a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran.