Iran president says US naval blockade 'doomed to fail'

TEHRAN: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday said a US naval blockade of Iranian ports would deepen disruptions in the Gulf and fail to achieve its objectives.

“Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law… and is doomed to fail,” Pezeshkian said in a statement.

He added that such measures would “not only fail to enhance regional security, but are in fact a source of tension and a disruption to lasting stability in the Persian Gulf”.

The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iran’s ports and coasts on April 13, days after a ceasefire paused its war with Iran.

Iran’s military has kept shut the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global oil and gas shipments, and recently threatened to “respond” if the US blockade continued.

Oil prices soared to a four-year high, with Brent crude for June delivery up 7.1 percent to more than $126 dollars a barrel, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian responded with a warning that the action would only further destabilise the region.

Trump is expected to receive a briefing on Thursday on new plans for potential military action in Iran from Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, two sources with knowledge of US planning told news platform Axios.

On Wednesday, the military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei reiterated the warning, without elaborating.

“We will not tolerate the naval blockade. If it continues, Iran will respond,” Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards who was named as a military adviser by Khamenei in March told state TV.

He also warned against a new round of fighting between the US and Iran, saying it could possibly see US ships sunk and “its soldiers will be killed.”

“If the US starts another war, it should expect that we take a large number of them prisoner,” he added.

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the US “will not gain any results” from its blockade, dismissing any concerns over oil supply and distribution.

“Oil industry employees are working around the clock to ensure that there is no problem in providing services,” he told state TV.

Also on Wednesday, Iran’s army navy commander Shahram Irani signalled that Iran will deploy “in the very near future” naval weaponry which it has recently developed.