Iran Warns of Retaliation as US Plans Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports

AI Summary

The Iranian military has warned that any US naval blockade of its ports would be considered piracy and has threatened to retaliate by making all Gulf ports unsafe. The US plans to blockade Iranian ports starting Monday, amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.

The Iranian military has strongly condemned the US plan to blockade its ports, calling it an act of piracy. The blockade, set to begin on Monday at 14:00 GMT, would restrict all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports. The Iranian army has warned that if its ports are threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea would be safe.

The US Central Command has stated that the blockade would be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports. However, the military would not impede vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.

Oil prices surged almost 8 percent on Monday, with both key WTI and Brent contracts topping $100 a barrel. The increase comes amid concerns over the potential impact of the blockade on global energy supplies.

The move has been criticized by China, which urged Iran and the US not to reignite the war. Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the planned naval blockade 'makes no sense', while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain would not join the US blockade.