Iran Says Gulf Ports Will Not be Safe if its Own are Threatened

Iran's military has issued a stark warning to the United States and the international community, declaring that no port in the Persian Gulf or Arabian Sea will remain safe if Iranian ports are threatened. The statement comes in response to reported US plans to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a move Tehran has condemned as illegal and tantamount to piracy.

In a statement read on state television by the Iranian military's central command centre, Khatam Al Anbiya, officials characterized the proposed US restrictions on maritime navigation in international waters as criminal acts. "The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and constitute an example of piracy," the statement read.

An Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson elaborated on the consequences of such a blockade, asserting that Iran would decisively implement a "permanent mechanism" to control the strategic waterway. The official emphasized a policy of collective risk, stating, "If the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran's ports in the waters of the Gulf and the Arabian Sea is threatened, no port in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea will be safe."

The spokesperson further argued that the principle of maritime access must be universal or non-existent: "Gulf ports must be accessible to all or none." This rhetoric suggests that any attempt to isolate Iran economically or militarily through the blockade would result in a broader destabilization of the entire region's shipping infrastructure.

The escalating tension has drawn attention from major global powers. China, a key trading partner for both the US and Iran, has urged all sides to exercise restraint. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, addressed the issue during a regular press conference today regarding US President Donald Trump's reported threat to launch a naval blockade.

"Keeping the key waterway safe, stable and unimpeded serves the common interest of the international community," Guo stated. He affirmed that China stands ready to work with all parties involved to safeguard global energy security and supply chains, highlighting the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global oil transit.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical chokepoints for energy transport, with a significant portion of the global oil supply passing through it daily. A blockade or a retaliatory closure by Iran would have immediate and severe repercussions for global energy markets, potentially driving prices to record

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here