Iran’s military on Saturday warned the United States that it is “ready and determined” to respond if a blockade on Iranian ports continues, according to the Tasnim news agency.
The Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Iran’s armed forces now have “greater power and readiness than before” to defend the country’s sovereignty, territory, and national interests, referring to what it described as capabilities demonstrated during the “Third Imposed War.”
The Iranian military described the US act as a “blockade, banditry and piracy” in the region.
In a statement, the command said US forces would meet “a reaction from Iran’s powerful armed forces” if such actions persist.
The statement added that Iran is closely monitoring regional developments and maintaining control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. It warned that in the event of further aggression, Iranian forces are prepared to inflict “even heavier damage” on what it called “American-Zionist enemies.”
The warning to the United States came after the US Central Command said a guided-missile destroyer enforced a blockade on an Iranian-flagged vessel heading to an Iranian port.
The US military has said it is enforcing a blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports as part of measures ordered by President Donald Trump.
Separately, TankerTrackers.com said the vessel involved appeared to be the Iranian tanker Herby, which had transferred about 2 million barrels of crude and was delayed returning to Iran due to the blockade.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said a US Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian‑flagged vessel amid enforcement of Washington’s maritime restrictions.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM confirmed that the guided‑missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) acted on April 24 to stop a ship flying the Iranian flag that was attempting to sail towards a port in Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the US is attacking our infrastructure and putting us under siege so that people become dissatisfied.
“The enemy is attacking our infrastructure and putting us under siege so that people become dissatisfied. We currently do not need the people’s sacrifice, but we request that people reduce electricity and energy consumption,” he said.
