Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has warned that the Islamic Republic will not allow the United States to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz, saying its armed forces will respond forcefully to any unauthorised US military actions affecting commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
“In line with our previous warnings, we will under no circumstances permit, nor will we ever permit, the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz,” the headquarters said in a statement issued on Monday, News.Az reports, citing Fars News Agency.
The statement accused Washington of jeopardising regional security and international trade through what it described as repeated attempts to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
“The repeated adventurism and malicious actions of the United States aimed at interfering in the management of the Strait of Hormuz have seriously endangered regional security, international trade, and the passage of oil tankers and commercial vessels,” it said.
It also accused some regional countries of increasing the risk of a wider conflict by cooperating with the United States.
The headquarters warned that Iran’s Armed Forces would respond decisively to any disruption to commercial shipping caused by US forces.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond forcefully to any disruption or insecurity affecting the passage of commercial vessels and oil tankers caused by the aggressive and piratical US military operating outside routes designated by Iran and without the authorisation of the Armed Forces,” the statement said.
The headquarters also warned neighbouring countries against providing logistical support to US forces, saying such cooperation would be regarded as an act of war against Iran.
“We warn the leaders of the countries of the region that any cooperation with the United States or logistical support provided to its aggressive military will be regarded as an act of war against Iran’s sovereignty and national security,” the statement said.
“Should the war expand across the region, the flames of conflict will engulf all countries in the region,” it added.
The statement added that recent operations carried out by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army demonstrated Tehran’s determination to enforce its position.