The Iranian military threatens shipping in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.
A commander said if the US creates “insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers,” Iran will not allow “any exports or imports to continue” in the three major waterways.
The US blockade of Iranian ports began on Monday, with the American military saying on Tuesday that no vessels had made it through in the first 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has said that China has agreed “not to send weapons to Iran,” after he wrote to President Xi Jinping asking him not to.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also, And the World.”
“This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran.
“We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to – far better than anyone else!!!”
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However, on Tuesday, China called the US naval blockade of Iranian ports “irresponsible”, and said it could “undermine” the ceasefire.
Up until the US blockade, Chinese vessels had been among the very few managing to make their way through the Strait of Hormuz.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also told a news conference on Tuesday that reports China was preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran were “completely fabricated.”
But Trump has been giving conflicting comments on the war in Iran, and the path to its end.
In an interview with Fox News this morning, Trump said that the war is “very close to being over” amid a two-week ceasefire agreement currently in place.
In the very same interview, Trump suggested further strikes could take place.
“If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished,” he added.
“We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
A senior US official tells the BBC talks on extending the ceasefire with Iran are ongoing, while an Iranian spokesman says an exchange of messages is continuing about possible talks.
A senior US official tells the BBC that talks on extending the two-week ceasefire with Iran are ongoing.
The ceasefire is due to run out next week, on April 22.
“The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire,” a senior US official says.
“There is continued engagement between the US and Iran to reach a deal.”
Earlier, the AFP news agency cited Iranian state media as saying reports about a ceasefire extension were not confirmed.
