US President Donald Trump on Monday said that Iran’s “fast attack ships” will be “immediately eliminated” if they come close to the US blockade of Iranian ports.
“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea.”
His warning came right after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) began implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it has been informed that effective from 1400 UTC (1400GMT) on Monday, maritime access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas.
The “access restrictions apply without distinction to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities,” said the agency.
Based on information currently available, the UKMTO said the restrictions encompass the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure.
“Transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations is not reported to be impeded by these measures; however, vessels may encounter military presence, directed communications, or right-of-visit procedures during passage,” it said.
Neutral vessels currently within Iranian ports have been granted “a limited grace period” to depart, as will be specified in the notice to mariners.
The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior official, reported that more than 15 US warships are in place to support the operation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Sunday threatened to deal “severely” with any military vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to local media.
Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz in response to US-Israeli strikes, which began on Feb. 28.
