US resumes naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, despite Tehran’s warnings

The United States Central Command says American forces have resumed the naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, despite the Islamic Republic’s warnings that Washington would not be able to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been shut down by Tehran in response to American violations.

CENTCOM, which overseas the American troops deployed to the West Asia region, issued the announcement in a statement on Tuesday.

“US forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET,“ it said.

“There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating” across the region, it added, saying, “American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding last month to end the cycle arising from the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, which began on February 28.

Under the understanding, Iran agreed to allow fee-free maritime transit through the strait for a period of 60 days.

In compliance with the MoU, the Islamic Republic devised a special maritime route for vessels to cross the chokepoint, warning vessels against using illegal routes.

The US has, however, been trying to escort transit through the strait along an illegal passageway, prompting the Islamic Republic to shut the corridor until Washington ended its interference in regional maritime movement.

In line with its efforts to support unlawful maritime transit through the waterway, the United States has carried out numerous strikes against the Iranian territory. The strikes also violate the MoU’s first clause that clearly mandates cessation of aggression on all fronts.

Prior to its latest statement, CENTCOM confirmed “launching an additional round of strikes against Iran.”

Simultaneously, Fars News Agency cited residents in the southwestern city of Ahvaz as reporting hearing “several explosions.”

Enemy projectiles also struck areas near Bandar Abbas and Sirik in the southern province of Hormozgan, the agency added. “At approximately 23:08, several more explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas.”

Balsts also rang out in Bampur and Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Iranian Armed Forces have responded to every such violation with retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American targets across the region.

On Monday, Iran’s Army spokesman warned the United States that no measure of American aggression would force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following Tehran's decision to close the strategic waterway over the American violations.

"The aggressive and corrupt president of the United States must learn to respect international law, the rights of nations, and the dignity of peoples. As we have previously stated, the Strait of Hormuz will never be reopened through war, hostility, or acts of aggression by the United States,” Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said.

Also on Tuesday, nearly 180 Iranian lawmakers issued a statement declaring the Pakistan-mediated understanding effectively terminated, vowing to pursue revenge over the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei during the American-Israeli aggression and demanding a parliamentary committee to oversee the collapse of the memorandum.

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