IRGC Threatens to Attack US if Iranian Ships Are Targeted

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday (9/5) warned that any attack on Iranian oil tankers or commercial ships would trigger a “massive attack” on US positions and enemy vessels in the area.

“Warning! Any aggression against Iranian oil tankers and commercial ships will be met with a massive attack on one of America’s centres in the region and enemy ships,” stated the IRGC Navy command, according to a report from the Fars News Agency.

IRGC Air Force Commander Majid Mousavi said that missiles and drones have been “locked on the enemy” and are awaiting orders to launch.

The British Ministry of Defence previously announced the deployment of a Royal Navy warship to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus, will “stand ready” in the region and join the UK- and France-led maritime initiative when conditions allow, according to several British news outlets citing a ministry spokesperson.

A ceasefire came into effect on 8 April through mediation by Pakistan, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement.

The ceasefire was subsequently extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump, paving the way for diplomacy towards a permanent solution to the war.

Since 13 April, the US has begun a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump announced on Tuesday (5/5) that the US military would temporarily halt “Project Freedom”, intended to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and stated that the American blockade would remain fully in place.

Source: Anadolu