Iran on Saturday vowed not to allow US military ships into the Persian Gulf “under any circumstances”, as tensions with Washington escalated amid threats of further military action by the United States.Iran’s armed forces chief Ali Abdollahi remarked after US President Donald Trump threatened another “little Epic Fury” to force Iran’s compliance, in case negotiations fail.“We will not allow US military ships in the Persian Gulf under any circumstances and at any time,” Iranian state television quoted the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Ali Abdollahi, as saying. AFP reported.“The US president must dream of seeing the armed forces enter the Persian Gulf. He will take that dream to his grave,” Abdollahi added.Iranian forces have restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy route connecting the Gulf to the wider world, since the war with the United States began on February 28. In response, Washington has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and vessels.Tehran has required ships to obtain permission to transit the strait and has repeatedly targeted vessels attempting to pass through a southern route near the Omani coast.According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, several tankers attempting to use the route, which Tehran considers “illegal”, have been hit by mines in recent days.On Friday, the Guards said two supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude oil had been abandoned at sea after striking mines in the strategic waterway. AFP reported.
Possible strike on Iran this weekend?
The latest warning from Tehran came after US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack said on Friday that a US strike on Iran could take place over the weekend, while stressing that Trump remained open to a diplomatic agreement.“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack said in an interview with Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur Mario Nawfal on Friday.Barrack, who also serves as Trump’s special envoy, said the US president remained willing to negotiate but warned that continued threats against the United States, its allies and Gulf countries would have consequences.“The president has been clear. I’m giving you American policy. President is very clear. He’s open and available and accessible to a deal. And we’ve been at the table for months and months and months,” Barrack said.Hours later, Trump addressed a rally in Florida where he told Americans that the possibility of further military action was open.“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” Trump said.“If they’re smart, they’ll just say, ‘Let’s get down to business.’ But, you know, I doubt they’ll do that because perhaps they’re not smart,” he added.