In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Iran has warned that security in Gulf ports cannot be selective, declaring that access must be “either for everyone or for no one” following the United States’ decision to impose a naval blockade on Iranian maritime routes.
According to official statements from Iran’s armed forces, the warning came in response to US restrictions on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. Tehran described the blockade as illegal and warned that if its ports are threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would remain secure.
Officials further indicated that Iran could restrict passage through the Strait of Hormuz for certain vessels, particularly those linked to what it described as hostile actors. Authorities emphasised that defending maritime rights and territorial waters remains a priority.
The statement follows a major escalation after the United States announced a blockade targeting Iranian ports, a move aimed at pressuring Tehran following the collapse of high-level talks. The blockade has already heightened tensions across the region and raised concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supplies.
Security analysts warn that Iran’s latest remarks signal a willingness to expand the scope of confrontation beyond its own territory. Any threat to wider Gulf ports could impact multiple countries and further destabilise maritime trade routes.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, remains at the centre of the crisis. Disruptions in this route have historically triggered volatility in oil markets and global supply chains.
Regional and international observers have urged restraint, cautioning that further escalation could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of a broader conflict.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides maintaining firm positions as global attention focuses on whether tensions will ease or intensify in the coming days.
