TEHRAN – Iran’s top military command has warned that any continuation of a US naval blockade would be considered an expansion of the conflict in the region.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbia said the United States had threatened Iranian vessels, commercial ships, and tankers in Iran’s coastal and territorial waters following what it described as an “illegal naval blockade.”
The statement warned that such actions could widen the ongoing tensions, saying, “This American action is considered an expansion of war in the region.”
The Iranian military body added that the country’s armed forces would respond to any threats, stating that they “will not leave any threat and evil from that country’s terrorist army unanswered.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has claimed that American military operations have significantly damaged Iran’s military capabilities.
Speaking in the US state of Michigan, Trump said the United States had destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, military leadership, and air defense systems. He also claimed that much of Iran’s drone and missile production capacity had been affected.
Trump further claimed that Iran’s current drone production capability had fallen to around 7 percent of its previous level.
The US president said Iran was now seeking negotiations with Washington, adding that such talks would not have happened without strong action from the United States.
Trump also criticized Iran’s past regional policies, describing the country as a major source of tension in the Middle East over several decades. He said previous efforts to engage with Tehran had failed and claimed that the United States was now putting pressure on Iran.
Referring to the reported naval blockade, Trump said the US Navy’s measures had been highly effective, claiming that “not a single boat” could pass through. He also said Iran was asking the United States to end the blockade.
