Tehran: Ahead of the second round of talks with the United States, the military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday (April 15)
threatened the US to attack its ships if it continues the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Mohsen Rezaei made these remarks while speaking on state television. Rezaei warned the United States Iran would retaliate to any attempt by Washington to "police" the key waterway. "Mr Trump wants to become the police of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" Khamenei's military advisor said as quoted by news agency AFP. Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said that Iran would sink the US ships with its missiles. "These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles and have created a great danger for the US military. They can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them," Rezaei stated, as quoted by the news agency. Khamenei's military advisor further added that he opposed extending the ceasefire and even warned the US against any military invasion. Rezaei said that if the US tried a ground invasion, it would backfire and even threatened to take hostages in that case. Notably, Rezaei is known for his hardline stance.
Last week, Khamenei also signalled a major strategic shift in Tehran’s approach to the Strait of Hormuz. In a strongly worded statement, Khamenei said Iran would “enter a new phase in the management of the Strait of Hormuz,” indicating that Tehran may be preparing to recalibrate its control over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
'Permanently Hormuz': Trump
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed he is “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz, while asserting that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Beijing was “very happy” with the move and suggested a broader understanding with Xi Jinping. He added that the two sides were “working together smartly,” even hinting at an upcoming meeting between the leaders.
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"China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks," said Trump in his Truth Social post.
"We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!" he added.
Trump’s assertion that the Strait of Hormuz is being “permanently” opened comes even as the region remains in active conflict. The US recently launched a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports after peace talks collapsed, aiming to force Tehran to reopen the strategic waterway and halt nuclear ambitions.
