Iran’s military warned on Monday that it would target US forces entering the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump announced a plan to escort ships through the waterway.
Trump announced the operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” on Sunday as a humanitarian effort to assist vessels stranded by Iran’s blockade.
“They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In response, Tehran said any passage must be coordinated with its forces and threatened direct retaliation.
“We warn that any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive US military, if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked,” said Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, in a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
The standoff follows stalled negotiations between Iran and the United States over maritime access in the strait.
US Central Command said the escort mission would involve destroyers, aircraft and 15,000 personnel.
Iran’s closure of the strait has disrupted global flows of oil, gas, and fertilizer, while the United States has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
Brent crude rose 3.8% to $112.3 a barrel on Monday amid the standoff.
Also on Monday, the United Arab Emirates said that Iran fired two drones at a tanker affiliated with its state oil company ADNOC in the strait.
(Al-Monitor)
