Tehran/Washington/New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply as Iran warned that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman would remain safe if its own maritime infrastructure is targeted, hours before a proposed blockade by the United States comes into effect.
The warning follows the US military’s announcement that it will begin blocking vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a move aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran after the failure of recent ceasefire talks.
Iran’s military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that maritime security in the region must be collective and indivisible. “Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one,” officials said, cautioning that any threat to Iranian ports would have wider consequences across the region.
The escalating standoff has already begun to impact global shipping, with disruptions reported in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz—a key route for global oil supplies. Concerns over supply chain disruptions have also led to a surge in international oil prices.
The latest developments come amid stalled diplomatic efforts, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation with significant implications for global trade, energy markets, and maritime security.
