Iran Threatens to Halt Maritime Trade Amid US Blockade

Tensions escalate as Iran's military threatens to block all maritime trade in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, and Red Sea if the US does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. Ali Abdollahi, a commander in Iran's military, stated that the US actions could lead to a violation of the ceasefire. This warning comes after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to recent military strikes by Israel and the US. The situation remains critical as the US enforces a blockade on vessels linked to Iranian ports while claiming to respect the navigation rights of other ships in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 19:13 IST

Iran's Military Command Issues Strong Warning

Cairo: According to reports from Iranian state media, a high-ranking military official has issued a stern warning that Iran will completely halt all trade activities in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, and Red Sea if the United States does not remove its blockade on Iranian ports.

Ali Abdollahi, the commander of Iran's joint military command, emphasized that Iran is prepared to take decisive action to safeguard its national sovereignty and interests.

He characterized the US blockade as 'a precursor to breaching the ceasefire.'

Following recent military actions by Israel and the United States, Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz over a month ago. On Monday, the US initiated a blockade on vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports, asserting that it would not interfere with the navigation rights of other ships in the Persian Gulf.