Issuing a strong warning to the US, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ali Abdollahi, said Iran is prepared to deliver a “decisive response” to any “breach of covenant” by the “enemy” in the wake of seizure of the Iranian vessel, its sailors, crew and their families by the US.
According to Iranian media reports via the Tasnim news agency, Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, made the remarks while also emphasizing what he described as broad domestic support for Iran’s armed forces.
“We are ready to give a decisive response to the enemy’s breach of covenant,” Abdollahi said, as quoted by Tasnim.
“The people of Iran, with their enthusiastic and widespread presence in the squares and streets, have not abandoned their support for the armed forces”, he added.
The remarks come amid rising tensions following Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s demand for the immediate release of a commercial vessel and its crew after a maritime incident involving US forces. According to Tasnim, the response relates to the seizure of the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska on Sunday.
Tehran strongly condemned the US operation, calling it a serious escalation in regional waters. In an official statement, the Foreign Ministry denounced what it described as the “US. assault on an Iranian commercial vessel,” raising concerns over the seizure of the ship and what it called the hostage-taking of its crew and their families. The ministry demanded the unconditional release of all those detained.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasises the necessity of the immediate release of the Iranian vessel and its sailors, crew, and their families,” the ministry declared.
Iranian officials warned that such actions risk destabilizing the wider Middle East and placed responsibility for any escalation squarely on Washington.
“The full responsibility for the further complication of the situation in the region lies with the United States”, the statement said.
The diplomatic row follows the release of footage by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which showed a maritime operation in the Gulf of Oman. The video, posted on X, depicted US Marines departing the USS Tripoli via helicopter before boarding the vessel.
Footage showed troops fast-roping onto the ship’s deck as the operation unfolded, amid heightened monitoring of regional shipping routes.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters later confirmed the incident, describing it as an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman.
In a statement cited by Tasnim, Tehran accused the United States of “violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy” after the vessel was targeted and seized.
Iranian forces also alleged interference with the ship’s systems during the operation.
The military warned of retaliation, stating that “We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” further intensifying tensions.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment, as a two-week ceasefire between the two sides is set to expire on April 22.
