Iran threatens to halt Red Sea traffic in response to US military blockade of ports

An Iranian wide warned Wednesday that Tehran could unopen down postulation successful the Red Sea and different determination shipping lanes if the U.S. military’s blockade of Iranian ports continues. 

The remarks from Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, which is Iran’s apical subject command, were aired by Iranian authorities television, according to the Middle East Eye. 

Aliabadi said if the U.S. blockade continues, it "creates insecurity for Iran's commercialized vessels and lipid tankers" and constitutes "a prelude" to violating the ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the quality outlet reported. 

"The almighty equipped forces of the Islamic Republic volition not let immoderate exports oregon imports to proceed successful the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea," Aliabadi reportedly added.

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Naval units from Iran and Russia behaviour a rescue simulation of a hijacked vas during associated naval drills astatine the Port of Bandar Abbas adjacent the Strait of Hormuz successful Hormozgan, Iran, connected Feb. 19, 2026. (Iranian Army/Anadolu/Getty Images)

The White House, erstwhile asked by Fox News Digital for comment, provided a connection from property caput Karoline Leavitt successful which she said "President Trump, Vice President Vance and the negotiating squad person made the U.S. redlines precise clear."

"The Iranians’ desperation for a woody volition lone summation with President Trump’s highly effectual Naval blockade present successful effect, which is sending lipid tankers towards the big, beauteous Gulf of America," Leavitt said.

U.S. Central Command released a connection Wednesday saying the U.S. stopped 9 vessels attempting to interruption the blockade connected Iranian ports. Fox News is told each 9 were lipid tankers.

A elder U.S. defence authoritative besides confirmed to Fox News connected Wednesday a study from Reuters that a U.S. destroyer interdicted 2 lipid tankers that were trying to permission Iran connected Tuesday. 

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U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that "U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission impacting Iranian ports." (CENTCOM)

A U.S. authoritative told Reuters that the ships near Chabahar larboard successful the Gulf of Oman earlier being contacted by the U.S. warship done vigor communication.  

"During the archetypal 48 hours of the U.S. blockade connected ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, nary vessels person made it past U.S. forces," U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.

A vessel is seen passing done the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week impermanent ceasefire betwixt the United States and Iran connected April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)

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"Additionally, 9 vessels person complied with absorption from U.S. forces to crook astir and instrumentality toward an Iranian larboard oregon coastal area," it added. 

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.