Iran has warned the US that it will attack any of its vessels that enter the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy will accompany trapped ships out of the area, reports Middle East Eye.The warning reported on May 4 by Reuters was made by Ali Abdollahi, who heads the unified command of the Iranian military.“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”
Earlier an Iranian army spokesman singled out the US when warning against entry into the strait.“We warn that any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they attempt to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz,” it added.
Trump, who has ordered his own blockade of Iranian ports, has thus far refrained from sending US ships into the strait for fear of Iranian attack.On May 3, he announced “Project Freedom”, which he described as a humanitarian mission to retrieve ships that have been barred from leaving the body of water by Tehran. He warned Iran that any interference in the operation will result in a military response.
A key energy chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz is bordered on one side by Iran and on the other by Oman.
The closure of the waterway has resulted in the largest supply loss in history: more than 10 million barrels of oil per day and a 20% cut in global liquefied natural gas supply.