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Iran Vows to React if US Continues 'Blockade, Banditry' in Region

Iran's military command has vowed to react if the US continues its "blockade, banditry and piracy" in the West Asia region, particularly at the Strait of Hormuz. The statement pointed to the US naval blockade imposed on the waterway and recent actions against Iran-bound ships. Iran's armed forces claim they are more powerful than before and ready to inflict severe damage on US and Israeli "enemies" if aggression is repeated. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussed ceasefire views with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir.

Key Points: Iran Vows Reaction to US 'Blockade' in West Asia

  • Iran vows reaction to US actions at Strait of Hormuz
  • US imposed naval blockade after ceasefire talks failed
  • Iran cites recent war as proof of its military power
  • Iran skipped peace talks citing US demands and blockade
3 min read

Iran vows to react if US continues 'blockade, banditry' in region

Iran's military warns of reaction to US "blockade, banditry" in West Asia, citing naval actions at Strait of Hormuz and recent war experiences.

"Iran's armed forces are ready and determined to inflict more severe damage on the US and Israeli 'enemies' if they repeat their 'aggression.' - Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters"

Tehran, April 26

Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, vowed to react if the United States continues its "blockade, banditry and piracy" in the West Asia region.

It made the announcement in a statement carried by Iranian media while pointing to the US naval blockade imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, which prevents vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway, and actions against Iran-bound ships over the past few days, Xinhua news agency reported.

It called on the United States to know that Iran's armed forces are more powerful and prepared than before to defend the country's national sovereignty and interests as well as territorial integrity, adding the US army experienced part of Iran's power and offensive capabilities during the recent war.

It said Iran's armed forces are ready and determined to, while monitoring the "enemies' behavior and movements" in the region and continuing their management and control over the Strait of Hormuz, inflict more severe damage on the US and Israeli "enemies" if they repeat their "aggression."

Also on Saturday, Saudi state-linked Al Arabiya News, citing a source, reported that Iran will not acquiesce to negotiations involving red lines set by the United States.

The developments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday conveyed Iran's considerations and views regarding the end of the war in a meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Araghchi, who arrived in Pakistan's capital Islamabad Friday night at the head of a diplomatic delegation, also exchanged views with Munir on the latest developments pertaining to a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, and the end of the war, as well as the expansion of bilateral cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the West Asia region, the report said.

Iran had tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, when it barred passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after the two countries' joint strikes on Iranian territory.

A ceasefire was achieved between Iran, the United States and Israel on April 8 after 40 days of fighting, followed by lengthy talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on April 11-12, which failed to yield an agreement. The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterway.

Iranian and US delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week, but Iran refrained from attending negotiations, citing the US continued naval blockade and "excessive" demands as the main reasons.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
When will this cycle of violence end? 😔 India always advocates for dialogue, not blockades and threats. Hope both sides come to the table in Islamabad again. War is never the answer, especially when innocent civilians suffer.
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Vikram M
Interesting how Pakistan is mediating these talks. Makes sense though, being neighbors with Iran and all. But India should also have a seat at the table since any conflict here impacts our energy security. Strait of Hormuz is literally a choke point for global oil.
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Sarah B
As someone living in the West, I can't help but feel our government's foreign policy is becoming more and more reckless. Blockading another nation's ports is an act of war, not diplomacy. The US needs to de-escalate, not flex muscles.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, Iran's own actions started this. They barred Israeli and US ships first in February. Tit for tat never works. But I agree the US blockade is heavy-handed. Someone needs to mediate properly. Good that Pakistan is trying, but we need all parties to come together.
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Emma D
This makes me nervous. My family in Mumbai used to worry about 1990s tensions, now it's a whole new level. The Strait of Hormuz is too strategic for India to ignore. We should be pushing for peace talks, not letting this spiral.
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