(SeaPRwire) – An Iranian general issued a warning on Wednesday that Tehran might cut off traffic in the Red Sea and other regional shipping routes if the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports continues.
According to Middle East Eye, comments from Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters—Iran’s top military command—were broadcast by Iranian state television.
Aliabadi stated that if the U.S. blockade persists, it “creates insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers” and amounts to “a prelude” to violating the ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the news outlet reported.
“The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea,” Aliabadi is also reported to have said.
When asked for comment by [Redacted] Digital, the White House provided a statement from press secretary Karoline Leavitt: “President Trump, Vice President Vance and the negotiating team have made the U.S. redlines very clear.”
Leavitt added, “The Iranians’ desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trump’s highly effective Naval blockade now in effect, which is sending oil tankers towards the big, beautiful Gulf of America.”
U.S. Central Command released a statement Wednesday noting that U.S. forces stopped nine vessels trying to break the blockade on Iranian ports. [Redacted] has learned all nine were oil tankers.
A senior U.S. defense official also confirmed to [Redacted] on Wednesday a Reuters report that a U.S. destroyer intercepted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran on Tuesday.
A U.S. official told Reuters the ships departed Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman before being contacted by the U.S. warship via radio communication.
“During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces,” U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.
Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area,” it added.
[Redacted]’s Liz Friden contributed to this report.
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