Tehran, April 25 — Iran warned on Saturday that it would deliver a “decisive response” if the United States continued what Tehran called a “blockade, piracy, and maritime robbery” in the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
The warning came from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s top operational military command that coordinates the Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The headquarters said Washington would face consequences if it persisted with its operations in regional waters.
“Should the aggressor US military persist in blockade, piracy, and maritime robbery in the region, it can be certain that it will face a decisive response from Iran’s powerful armed forces,” the statement, quoted by Press TV, said. It added that Iran’s forces are at a higher level of readiness and deterrence capability than ever and are prepared to defend national sovereignty and strategic interests.
The headquarters said Iranian units are closely monitoring movements in the region, including activity in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and asserted readiness “to maintain management and control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.” It warned that if faced with renewed aggression by what it called “American-Zionist enemies,” Iran could inflict more severe losses.
The remarks follow continued US actions described by Iran as a blockade of Iranian ports and a persistent US naval presence in the Strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said its forces are conducting enforcement operations as part of a blockade of Iranian ports and that the Strait of Hormuz remains affected, with multiple vessels redirected. A CENTCOM post on X said US forces have turned back or redirected at least 34 vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports.
CENTCOM also reported that the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) enforced a blockade on an Iranian-flagged vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on April 24.
Separately, efforts by Pakistan to host high-level US-Iran talks in Islamabad appear to be faltering. Reports say prospects for those talks are “rapidly fading,” with Tehran reportedly refusing to meet the visiting American delegation, according to Kamran Khan, chairman of ARY News. Pakistani authorities imposed strict security measures in the capital, including a heavy lockdown and a cordon around the high-security Red Zone.
Sources cited by Khan say Tehran is “still not ready to meet the U.S. delegation,” which reportedly includes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, described in reports as the US president’s son-in-law. Iran has reportedly bypassed its Pakistani hosts by issuing demands directly to Washington; its precondition for talks is that the US Navy first lift what Tehran calls its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports.
(This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
