• Source:JND
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As uncertainty looms over the fragile two-week ceasefire in West Asia, Tehran on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the United States that it will block all trade through the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Sea of Oman if the US naval blockade creates insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers.

In a statement broadcast on the state TV, Ali Abdollahi, the commander for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that such insecurity would be considered as a prelude to a violation of the ceasefire.

Abdollahi further added that the Iranian armed forces would not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea.

"The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea," Abdollahi was quoted in the statement.

ALSO READ: Europe Plans To Secure Hormuz After War But Without US; How Closest Allies Are Growing Apart Under Trump

If the Red Sea, which has remained free and secure since the war started, were to become a new conflict zone, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen would likely get involved.

Trump had announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on April 12, after the peace talks in Islamabad failed. US VP JD Vance, who led the delegation, said that Iran's rejection to give up on its nuclear ambition became the flashpoint in the negotiations.

The blockade began on Monday, and on Wednesday, the US military said "no ships made it past the blockade in the first 24 hours," adding that six merchant vessels were forced to turn around in the Gulf of Oman.

ALSO READ: Trump Claims China Is ‘Happy’ Over US' Hormuz Blockade, Hints At Cooperation On Iran Issue

While the negotiations have failed, the two-week ceasefire agreed to on April 8 still lasts till April 21. However, Iran's renewed threat could lead to the collapse of the already fragile truce.


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