Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran Over Naval Blockade
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Washington, April 13 (NationPress) - On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that any naval vessels approaching American ships enforcing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would be “immediately ELIMINATED,” amid rising tensions following the breakdown of peace negotiations.
In a message shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that Iran’s naval strength has been significantly diminished.
“Iran’s Navy is lying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships,” he remarked, while acknowledging that Tehran still possesses a small fleet of “fast attack ships.”
“We have not targeted their limited number of so-called ‘fast attack ships’ as we did not perceive them as a considerable threat,” Trump added.
He directly cautioned Iran against contesting the U.S. blockade.
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere near our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same lethal methods we apply against drug traffickers on boats at sea. It's swift and brutal,” he stated.
This warning coincided with the United States initiating a blockade on Iranian ports at 10 a.m. ET on Monday (7:30 p.m. IST), aimed at restricting maritime access in the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic efforts with Tehran faltered over the weekend.
The U.S. Central Command announced that the blockade would be applicable to vessels from all nations that engage with Iranian ports and coastal zones, with ships facing “interception, diversion, and capture” if they do not comply.
Iran has denounced the U.S. action as “piracy” and has warned it would retaliate with “decisive” force, increasing the potential for renewed conflict just days into a fragile ceasefire.
Tehran also conveyed that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would be safe if its own facilities were endangered, emphasizing the risk of escalation throughout the broader region.