Iran's military warned it will not allow ships from countries that join U.S. sanctions against Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
TASS reported that on the 10th (local time), Army Spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said in an interview with state-run IRNA that "from now on, countries that impose sanctions on Iran by following the U.S. precedent will undoubtedly face difficulties passing through the Strait of Hormuz."
He said military clashes with the United States and Israel have left Iran no choice but to leverage its geopolitical potential in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that Iran is "exercising sovereignty" there and that all ships seeking passage must coordinate with Iran.
The remarks are seen as a backlash against the United States for steadily imposing additional sanctions on Iran separate from cease-fire talks. On the 8th, the United States added 10 Chinese and Hong Kong corporations and individuals involved in supporting Iran's weapons and drone production to its sanctions list.
Spokesperson Akraminia said that if the enemy attacks Iran again, it will retaliate using new weapons. He said they would face "a surprising response," adding, "This response includes new weapons, new tactics and a new battlefield."