Iran ups ante with total trade blockade warning

Faceoff | Tehran threatens to halt all exports and imports across Persian Gulf if Washington doesn’t lift port restrictions

CAIRO

Iranian state media reported that the commander of Iran's joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.

“Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” said Ali Abdollahi.

He added that the US blockade is “a prelude to violating the ceasefire.” Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz when Israel and the United States launched strikes against it more than a month ago. The United States on Monday began blockading ships trying to enter or leave Iranian ports and said it would not impede the freedom of navigation of other vessels in the Persian Gulf.

The US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect on Wednesday, as Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the region. US Central Command said Tuesday no ships made it past the blockade in the first 24 hours, while six merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around and re-enter Iranian waters.

The blockade is intended to pressure Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil since the war began Feb 28. Much of it has likely been carried by so-called dark transits providing cash vital to keeping Iran running. Tankers approaching the Strait of Hormuz Monday turned around shortly after the blockade took effect, though one reversed course again and transited the waterway.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic, with most commercial vessels avoiding the waterway. Tehran's effective closure of the strait, through which a fifth of global oil transits in peacetime, has sent oil prices skyrocketing, pushing up the cost of gasoline, food and other basic goods.