Iran has warned it could shut down trade across key waterways if the United States does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
According to Iranian state media, Ali Abdollahi, a senior military commander, said Tehran is prepared to block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and even the Red Sea if pressure from Washington continues.
“Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” he said, describing the U.S. blockade as a move that risks undermining the already fragile ceasefire.
The warning comes after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz last month following joint strikes by the United States and Israel. On Monday, Washington stepped up its response, beginning a blockade of ships heading to or leaving Iranian ports. U.S. officials, however, said vessels not linked to Iran would still be allowed to pass freely through the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump said China’s leader Xi Jinping has denied supplying weapons to Iran amid the ongoing conflict.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said he had written directly to Xi after reports emerged suggesting Beijing might be providing military support to Tehran.
“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that. And he wrote me back saying, essentially, he’s not doing that,” Trump said.
The U.S. president is expected to meet Xi in Beijing in early May, in what could be a key moment for diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict.
