Iran’s interim defense minister declared on Monday (13) that the country is prepared for “any scenario” and warned that any aggression against it will result in a “harsh and decisive response”, according to statements broadcast on Iranian state television.
Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza stated that the Iranian armed forces are on “maximum combat alert”, reported the Press TV.
In another statement, the Defense Ministry said it has substantial military stocks, according to comments released by the Young Journalists Club, a semi-official outlet affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Defense spokesman Sardar Talaei-Nik said the armed forces’ “strategic reserves”, including missiles and drones, were “sufficiently and adequately supplied before the start of any conflict”.
Earlier, President Donald Trump said the United States will “eliminate” Iranian ships that attempt to pass through the American blockade imposed in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, east of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran’s Navy lies at the bottom of the sea, completely destroyed – 158 ships. What we didn’t hit were their few ships, which they call ‘fast attack ships’ because we don’t consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come near our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same elimination system we use against drug smugglers on boats at sea. It’s fast and brutal. PS: 98.2% of drugs entering the US by sea or oceanic STOPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
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The lockdown came into force at 11am on Monday. The US Armed Forces said any vessel entering or leaving the blocked area without authorization will be subject to interception, diversion and capture.
The restriction, according to the US command, covers the entire coast of Iran, including ports and oil terminals.
The statement provides exceptions for humanitarian shipments, such as food, medicines and other essential supplies, which may be circulated upon inspection.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Tehran has threatened retaliation against ports in neighboring Gulf countries after weekend talks failed to reach an agreement to end the conflict, raising the risk of the ceasefire collapsing.
Impacts of the blockade
The American blockade represents a reversal of the US approach to date. Even as the United States attacked Iran, American officials took steps that allowed the flow of Iranian oil to limit pressure on energy prices around the world.
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Some economic analysts point out that the measure aims to end Iran’s effective control over the strait.
Iranian officials, however, are well aware of the pressure on Trump due to rising energy prices. In a social media post on Sunday, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the country’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote: “Take advantage of the current gasoline prices. With the so-called ‘blockade,’ you will soon miss $4 or $5 gasoline. (With international agencies).
