Tehran, July 8 (dpa/GNA) – Iran threatened on Wednesday to completely block the Strait of Hormuz, if the United States launches further attacks, as tensions surged to their highest level in weeks.
The warning followed a major escalation of hostilities overnight, that included US strikes on more than 80 targets in the Islamic Republic, and Iranian attacks on US-linked military facilities in the Gulf states of Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran’s English-language state broadcaster Press TV, citing what it described as a well-informed security source, said Tehran was prepared to fight to maintain control over the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.
Iran would make no distinction between the United States and its regional allies, the report said. Speaking earlier at the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump appeared to abandon the recently agreed ceasefire with Iran and questioned whether talks between the two countries would continue. “I think it’s over,” he said of the ceasefire. “I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum. You know what scum is? They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people. And they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
At the same time, he said US negotiators could continue talks if they wished. He also threatened Iran’s leadership with another major military strike, saying that US forces “will probably hit them harder again tonight.”
Trump later said the US might reimpose its naval blockade targeting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. On Tuesday, Washington reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil sales that had been lifted under last month’s interim agreement with Tehran.
Trump said the latest escalation was triggered by recent Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
GNA