Iran’s Big Warning Hours Before US Blockade Begins, US-Vatican Feud Erupts Over Iran As Ship Traffic Comes To Halt In Strait Of Hormuz
Tehran : Iran has warned that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman will remain safe if its own ports are threatened, as the United States prepares to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas from Monday. The warning came after the US military announced it would begin blocking vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, in a move aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran following the failure of ceasefire talks.
US Central Command said the blockade would be enforced from 10 am EDT (5:30 pm in Iran) and would apply to vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. However, ships travelling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows high-level US-Iran talks in Pakistan that ended without agreement. US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations stalled after Iran refused to accept American terms, including commitments related to its nuclear program.
Iranian officials issued strong warnings of retaliation. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said, “If you fight, we will fight,” while military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iran still holds “major untouched levers” to counter a blockade. The Revolutionary Guard added that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s control and open to non-military vessels, but warned that military ships could face a forceful response. Trump also hopes to undercut Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz after demanding that it reopen the waterway where 20% of global oil transited before fighting began.
A US blockade could further rattle global energy markets. The blockade is expected to have wide economic implications. Oil prices rose sharply after the announcement, with US crude increasing 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude rising 7% to $102.29, compared to around $70 before the conflict began.
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