US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran as the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is now in effect, saying any Iranian vessels approaching it will be immediately destroyed.
“Warning: If any of these ships come close to our BLOCKADE it will be LIFT immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also claimed that Iran’s naval forces had suffered widespread casualties.
“Iran’s navy is lying at the bottom of the sea, completely destroyed – 158 ships,” he said.
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“Fast attack ships” have not yet been targeted
The US president noted that a small number of Iranian vessels remain, but suggested they were not previously considered a major threat.
“What we haven’t hit is a small number of what they call ‘fast attack ships’ because we didn’t see them as much of a threat,” Trump wrote.
A “swift and brutal” military response
Trump strongly described the nature of potential US action, comparing it to operations against maritime drug trafficking.
“They will be ELIMINATED immediately using the same kill system we use against drug dealers on ships at sea. It’s fast and brutal,” he said.
He claims that there has been a significant decrease in the drug trade
In the same post, Trump also highlighted what he described as a sharp decline in the flow of drugs through sea lanes.
“PS 98.2% of drugs coming into US by ocean or sea STOPPED!” he added.
US moves to blockade Iranian ports
The United States has vowed to enforce a large-scale naval blockade of Iran, targeting all its ports in an effort to force Tehran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz and accept a peace deal.
The move prompted sharp warnings from Iran, raising fears of a wider conflict and disruption to global trade.
“All Iranian ports” targeted for blockade
The U.S. Central Command said the blockade would apply widely across the Iranian coast.
The enforcement would expand “against vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas,” covering ports along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The naval adviser also warned of increased military activity in the region, noting that ships “may encounter a military presence” when navigating nearby waters.
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Iran issues warning: ‘No port will be safe’
Iran responded with strong rhetoric, warning that the escalation could have an impact on the entire region.
“Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for NOBODY… NO PORT in the region will be safe,” Iranian state media said, citing statements by the military and Revolutionary Guards.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered a direct message to Donald Trump: “If you fight, we will fight.
The truce is holding, but the talks are collapsing
The blockade comes after recent US-Iran talks failed to produce a lasting deal.
Negotiations on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and regional security demands, have stalled.
US Vice President JD Vance said the talks broke down after Iran refused to accept US terms for halting nuclear development.
However, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful.
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