• Iran has threatened to block shipping in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman if the US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues
• Iranian military commander Major General Ali Abdollahi said any insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers could be seen as a breach of the ceasefire
• Tehran warned it would “not allow any exports or imports to continue” across major regional waterways if US actions persist

Iran has threatened to expand maritime tensions across some of the world’s busiest trade routes if the United States continues its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

On Wednesday, April 15, Iran’s military warned that it could block shipping through the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman if Washington maintains measures that disrupt Iranian commercial activity.

The warning came from Major General Ali Abdollahi, a commander at Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who said Tehran would respond forcefully if Iranian vessels and oil tankers continue to face restrictions.

In a statement carried by Iranian state television and semi-official media outlets, Abdollahi said the US naval blockade would be viewed as a direct threat to Iran’s sovereignty and economic interests.

“If the aggressive and terrorist America continues its unlawful actions of maritime blockade in the region and creates insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers, this action will be considered a prelude to violating the ceasefire, and the powerful Armed Forces of Iran will not allow any kind of export and import to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea,” he said.

He added: “Iran will act with full force to defend its national sovereignty and interests.”

Iran’s latest warning comes after the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on Monday.

The move followed failed talks between Washington and Tehran held over the weekend in Pakistan, where both sides were unable to reach an agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

The comments have intensified concerns over the safety of major maritime trade routes in the Middle East.

The Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea are among the most important waterways for global oil shipments and commercial trade.

However, signs emerged on Tuesday, April 14, that Iranian shipping activity had not been completely halted despite the blockade.

Maritime tracking data indicated that several ships departing Iranian ports were still able to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media also insisted that commercial activity was continuing.

On Wednesday, April 15, the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted unnamed informed sources as saying that shipping from Iran’s southern ports remained active.

According to the report, Iranian “commercial vessels have set sail for various destinations around the world” over the past 24 hours.

The situation remains tense as both Tehran and Washington weigh their next moves, with fears growing that any escalation could further disrupt global shipping, oil markets and regional security.

Iran-US ceasefire row deepens as Strait of Hormuz tensions trigger fresh fears

TheRadar earlier reported that tensions in the Middle East surged once again as Iran accused the United States of breaching a fragile ceasefire agreement, despite assurances from Donald Trump that the truce remains in place.

Reports of fresh explosions across key Gulf states heightened fears of escalation, while uncertainty continues to surround the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran declared the vital oil route shut, a claim strongly disputed by Washington, which insists maritime traffic is ongoing.