TEHRAN: A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards challenged US President Donald Trump to deploy US naval vessels to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported on Friday.
The US navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, Trump said on Tuesday.
The conflict in the Middle East has halted shipping and energy exports through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said: “Iran strongly welcomes the escort of oil tankers and that US forces will be there for the crossing of the Strait of Hormuz. And we are, by the way, awaiting their presence,” according to the state media.
“We recommend that, before making any decision, the Americans remember the fire on the American supertanker Bridgeton in 1987 and the oil tankers that were recently targeted,” Naini said.
At least nine vessels have been attacked since the US and Israel first began strikes on Iran on Saturday and the Guards ordered ships not to cross the strategic waterway.
Iranian forces have issued a strong warning to Iraqi Kurdish leaders, saying that any cooperation with the United States could lead to serious consequences. According to Iranian military officials, if Kurdish authorities assist US forces, Iran may target their infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the Iranian military said that supporting what they described as “enemy forces” would make Kurdish regions a potential target. The official warned that such cooperation could leave the Kurds unable to maintain security in the future.
Meanwhile, Iran has also claimed responsibility for missile attacks on American and British oil tankers in the Gulf region. The announcement has increased concerns about rising tensions in the area and the potential impact on global oil shipping routes.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have also issued a direct challenge to the United States. They stated that a US oil tanker operating in the northern Persian Gulf had been targeted with a missile during the recent escalation.
In a further escalation, Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz a restricted zone for ships belonging to the United States, Israel and European countries. This waterway is one of the most important routes for global oil transportation, and any restrictions could have major effects on international energy markets and regional security.
