Iran considers US naval blockade an escalation of war

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has warned that United States actions aimed at blockading the sea will be regarded as an “escalation of war in the region”.

In a statement broadcast by the Fars News Agency on Monday, the military command accused Washington of threatening Iranian ships, merchant vessels and oil tankers in Iranian coastal and territorial waters over the past three days.

“This US action will be considered an escalation of war in the region,” the statement asserted.

“As demonstrated by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the battlefield, they will not leave threats or hostile actions by that terrorist state’s military unanswered, and will confront them,” the command said.

Earlier on Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the US naval blockade against Iran remains fully in force.

During the blockade, CENTOM said US forces had diverted 12 merchant vessels attempting to break through, disabled two vessels that failed to comply, and boarded two other ships to verify compliance until 25 July.

Tensions between the US and Iran have risen in recent weeks, with Washington carrying out strikes against Iran.

Those strikes were answered by Tehran, which targeted a number of US military facilities and equipment across several countries in the region.

Source: Anadolu