Middle East Tensions Flare Up Again, Iran Threatens to Shoot US if It Enters Strait of Hormuz

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Iran's military has stated that United States (US) forces will be attacked if they enter the Strait of Hormuz, on Monday (4/5/2026). Tehran announced this after US President Donald Trump said Washington would begin escorting ships through the blocked waterway. "We warn that any foreign armed forces - especially the aggressive US military - if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will become targets and be attacked," said Major General Ali Abdollahi from Iran's central military command, in a statement broadcast by the state broadcaster IRIB, quoted by AFP. "We have repeatedly stated that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and under no circumstances should any safe passage be coordinated with these forces," he added. Previously, negotiations between the two countries have reached a deadlock since the ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran took effect on 8 April. Tehran's grip on the strait has become the main point of contention. On Sunday, Trump said he would launch a new maritime operation, which he called "Project Freedom". He boasted that the operation was a "humanitarian" signal for the crew of ships trapped in the blockade and possibly short of food and other supplies. "We will do our best to get the ships and their crews out safely from the Strait. In all cases, they say they will not return until the area is safe for navigation," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the operation would begin on Monday. It should be noted that by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has choked the main flow of oil, gas, and fertilisers to the world economy. Meanwhile, the US has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports. Over the weekend, Iran submitted a new 14-point proposal to the US to end the war. The US news site Axios, quoting two sources briefed on Iran's proposal, reported that Tehran set "a one-month deadline for negotiations to reach an agreement to reopen the strait", lift the US naval blockade, and end the war.