Hours after President Donald Trump announced a “Project Freedom” mission in the Strait of Hormuz aimed at protecting merchant ships, Iran issued a stern warning to the US in response to its interference in the strait.
A statement from the Unified Command of Iran’s armed forces threatened that Tehran would give a “harsh response” if the US Navy tried to enter the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported on Monday.
“We have repeatedly said that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and the safe passage of ships needs to be coordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdullahi, head of the forces’ unified command, said in the statement, Reuters reports.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially aggressive US forces, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”
“I have asked my representatives to inform them that we will make every effort to get their ships and crews safely out of the Strait. This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning Middle East time,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
He added, “If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, then unfortunately, that interference will have to be dealt with forcefully.”
US Central Command’s defensive mission will include 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, warships and drones, with the aim of “protecting regional security and the global economy.”
Later, on Monday, according to axios Reporter Barak Ravid, two US military officers said the operation could not involve US Navy ships providing direct escort for commercial ships.
In fact, the US would only provide informational support to the best sea routes “especially when it came to using lanes that were not mined by the Iranian military.”
According to the International Maritime Organization, hundreds of ships and more than 20,000 sailors are stranded.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains serious due to ongoing military operations. Earlier a tanker was “hit by an unknown projectile” off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
