The commander of Iran’s joint military command has warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States (US) does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
“Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” said Ali Abdollahi, according to the Iranian state media.
He added that the US blockade is “a prelude to violating the ceasefire”.
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz when Israel and the US launched strikes against it more than a month ago. The US on Monday began blockading ships trying to enter or leave Iranian ports and said it would not impede the freedom of navigation of other vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Iran rules out compromise on nuclear enrichment rights, slams US ‘warmongering’ in Hormuz
Iran will not compromise on its nuclear enrichment rights, said the country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, adding that its entitlement to nuclear energy is firmly grounded in international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), state media reported on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Baqaei dismissed what he described as baseless speculation in western media regarding Iran’s enrichment programme, stressing that the country’s legitimate rights, as recognised under international law, are non-negotiable, the country’s official news agency IRNA reported.
He underlined that the right to peaceful enrichment is neither a favour nor a concession granted by any external power that can be withdrawn under pressure or during times of conflict.
As long as Iran remains a signatory to the NPT, he said, it must be able to fully benefit from the treaty’s provisions.
Responding to reports about alleged enrichment-related discussions during recent Iran-US negotiations held in Pakistan, Baqaei clarified that any potential agreement must first establish a comprehensive framework. He noted that until the broader terms are settled, discussions on specifics — particularly on sensitive matters involving war and peace between Iran and the US — would be premature.
In another part of his remarks, Baqaei rejected claims that Iran had reduced or halted its support for the Lebanese resistance. He stated that Iran has consistently backed what he termed the country’s legitimate resistance and that ending the war in Lebanon was a key component of the ceasefire understanding discussed during the Islamabad talks.
(With AP and IANS inputs)