Iran has warned that United States forces will be attacked if they enter or approach the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over a new U.S.-led maritime operation aimed at reopening the strategic waterway.
The warning comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the launch of a naval initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom,” under which American forces will begin escorting and guiding stranded commercial vessels through the strait beginning Monday.
Iran’s military central command said any foreign military presence in the waterway must be coordinated with its forces, insisting that Tehran retains control over maritime movement in the area.
“We warn that any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive U.S. military, if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked,” Major General Ali Abdollahi said in a statement carried by state media.
The statement represents one of Tehran’s strongest responses yet to the U.S. operation, which Washington has described as a humanitarian effort to assist vessels and crews affected by ongoing disruptions in the waterway.
Trump said the initiative is aimed at helping “neutral and innocent” countries whose ships have been trapped in the strait, adding that operations would begin on Monday with the deployment of naval assets and personnel.
However, Iran has rejected the move, arguing that any passage through the strait must be conducted under its coordination and approval.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, has become a major flashpoint amid ongoing tensions between both countries, with hundreds of vessels reportedly stranded due to the blockade.
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