Iran Warns of Hardline Response to U.S. Naval Blockade Attempt, Calls It "Illegal Piracy"

"Passage of Hostile Vessels Completely Prohibited"
"Other Ships Allowed Only If Complying with Iranian Military Regulations"

Iran's state-run IRIB reported on April 13 (local time) that the Iranian military has taken a hardline stance, calling U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to blockade Iranian ports at sea an illegal act of piracy.

Reuters Yonhap News

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Military Headquarters, which commands Iran's armed forces, issued a statement criticizing, "The United States' attempt to restrict maritime traffic of vessels in international waters is an illegal act and constitutes clear piracy."

The spokesperson further warned, "The security of ports adjacent to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one. If the security of Iranian ports in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is threatened, then no port in the region will be safe."

He continued, "It is the legitimate right of the Iranian people for Iran to exercise sovereignty in its territorial waters," emphasizing, "Securing security within Iranian territorial waters through dedicated units will resolutely continue in the future." The spokesperson explained that vessels from hostile countries do not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and their passage is completely prohibited, while other ships will only be allowed passage if they comply with regulations set by the Iranian military authorities.

Additionally, the spokesperson stressed that "Iran will implement a permanent mechanism for controlling the Strait of Hormuz to respond to ongoing threats to national security from adversaries, even after the war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.