Iran Promises Response to US Maritime 'Piracy'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tehran, April 20 (NationPress) - Iran's highest military command has announced that a response to what it describes as 'armed maritime piracy' by the US military is imminent, as reported by various media outlets.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran has issued a warning indicating that a counteraction will occur soon against the US for its 'armed maritime piracy', following an incident where American forces targeted an Iranian commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman, rendering its navigation system inoperative before boarding it with armed personnel, according to a report by Xinhua, referencing Press TV.
Subsequently, Iran executed drone strikes on US naval vessels, leading to the withdrawal of US forces, as per information from the state-run IRIB and the semi-official Mehr news agency.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States had forcibly taken control of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to evade a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
A US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman reportedly 'halted their progress by creating a breach in the engine room', with US Marines now in control of the vessel, as he detailed.
Furthermore, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday that the nation has declined to participate in the forthcoming second round of peace negotiations with the United States, which were expected to take place in Pakistan soon.
The Iranian delegation has made it clear that there will be no dialogue with Washington while the US maintains its 'anti-Iran' naval blockade, according to reports.
Additionally, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the US's 'unlawful and criminal' blockade of Iran's coastline and ports, asserting that it violates the two-week ceasefire established between the two nations.