Tehran Warns: Continued Naval Blockade Puts US Vessels at Grave Risk

A senior Iranian military official has warned that the United States' continued imposition of a naval blockade on Iran would expose its ships and bases to "grave dangers." Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to the Iranian Leader, affirmed that Tehran is capable of enduring this blockade, noting that it has already activated alternative routes for its exports and imports. Rezaei stated that Iranian exports via these alternative routes have doubled "two to three times," and import routes have also been adjusted, but he stressed that the continuation of the naval blockade "will not go unanswered." He added that the United States had planned to execute a ground attack to open the Strait of Hormuz, considering the attacks targeting southern Iran as part of this scheme. He accused Washington of seeking, as part of its alleged "fourth plan" against Iran, to incite internal unrest and involve other countries in a war against his nation. Rezaei revealed that Iran was prepared to launch strikes on three areas in Ukraine but halted the response after receiving assurances that the incident prompting it occurred "by mistake," noting that Tehran suspended its response to verify that account. On the political front, Rezaei affirmed that any resumption of negotiations with the United States requires a change in Washington's behavior, considering the implementation of Iranian preconditions as an indicator of this change. He also called for preserving internal unity and resolving differences among what he described as "revolutionary forces," asserting that Iran would defend the country "to the last drop of blood" in the face of any internal disturbances. He further stated: "No sane person in Iran will follow Netanyahu or Trump or participate in riots."