The naval blockade of Iranian ports by the United States further exacerbates tensions in the Persian Gulf, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkiyan said on Thursday. According to him, Washington will not achieve its goals with it, reports TASR based on the AFP agency.
“Any attempt to impose a naval blockade or restriction is contrary to international law … and is doomed to failure,” Pezeškiján said in a statement. According to him, such measures “not only do not improve regional security, but are actually a source of tension and disruption of permanent stability in the Persian Gulf.”
Blockade and the Strait of Hormuz
The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iran’s ports and coast on April 13, days after the countries agreed to a ceasefire, AFP recalls.
Tehran virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil and gas, at the start of the Middle East conflict. Iran’s military recently threatened to “retaliate” if the US blockade continues.
Iran threatens retaliation
Mohsen Rezai, a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtab Khamenei, echoed that warning on Wednesday. “We will not tolerate the naval blockade. If it continues, Iran will react,” he declared. He also warned that if fighting between Tehran and Washington were to resume, American ships and troops would pay the price.
Iran’s oil minister, Mohsen Paknezad, said the U.S. blockade would “achieve no results” and dismissed any concerns about oil supply and distribution.
“Employees of the oil industry are working around the clock to ensure that there are no problems with the provision of services,” Páknežad said on state television.
Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani also hinted on Wednesday that the country would deploy the naval weapons it has recently developed “in the near future”.
