Iran says it will target U.S. warships that alter approved Strait of Hormuz routes
Iran warned it will fire on any U.S. naval vessels that try to use a different corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, and said the waterway will stay closed until U.S. actions cease.
Iran's senior adviser to the supreme leader, Mohsen Rezaei, told state media that any U.S. warship attempting to use a route other than the one Tehran has approved for the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted. He added that Iran would also strike U.S. ships and bases if the United States continued what he described as a naval blockade.
Rezaei said, "(We won't allow) the second corridor to open. Even if they (US) deploy warships, we will target them," and warned, "There will certainly be serious dangers to the US ships and bases. We will not sit and watch the US continue the naval blockade."
The Iranian foreign ministry, through spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, said the strait – a key channel for roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments – will remain closed until U.S. violations end.
Separately, a cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile 37 kilometres northeast of Al Khasab, Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The incident is under investigation and no details on damage or injuries have been released.