Iran warns of closing Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab if US blockade persists

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran warned on Wednesday to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea if a US naval blockade on its ports, imposed earlier this week, remains in place. The threat from Tehran risks further dimming already fragile prospects for renewed dialogue between the two belligerents in the coming days.

“If the aggressive and terrorist United States continues its illegal actions in imposing a naval blockade in the region and creates insecurity for Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers, this will constitute a violation of the ceasefire,” said the spokesperson of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command, which oversees Iran’s military actions.

“Iran’s powerful armed forces will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Red Sea.”

Tehran’s warning comes amid mounting speculation that the United States and Iran could resume negotiations in Islamabad in the coming days, after the previous round of talks ended without a breakthrough.

The negotiation between Washington and Tehran occurred after the two parties agreed to a ceasefire on April 8, following six weeks of intense bombardment of Iran by the US and Israel. Iran responded by firing over 7,000 missiles and one-way drones at the countries in the Middle East.

The blockade of the Iranian ports came on Monday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement last Saturday in Islamabad despite the positive tone of the negotiations.

The US issued a temporary waiver during the six-week war, allowing Iran to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to stabilize global markets. Tehran, however, refused to allow other countries in the Persian Gulf to export oil unless they coordinated their movement with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," President Donald Trump told a New York Post reporter on Tuesday. "It's more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job."