Trump threatens: Will destroy any Iranian warship breaking port blockade; Iran responds: May retaliate against Gulf neighbors' ports

U.S. President Trump threatened on Monday, April 14, that any "Iranian fast attack boats" attempting to break through the Iranian port blockade would be "destroyed." The blockade officially took effect the day after U.S.-Iran negotiations collapsed. Iran condemned the move as "illegal" and "piracy," warning it would take retaliatory actions against ports of Gulf neighbors if the security of "the Islamic Republic of Iran's ports" is threatened.

Previously, the U.S. military announced that the blockade restricting vessel access to Iranian ports and coastal areas became effective at 14:00 GMT, though no specific enforcement details were provided. Trump stated on his platform: "If any of these vessels even slightly approaches our blockade line, they will be immediately destroyed." He later emphasized that Iranian leaders "want a deal under any circumstances."

The blockade announcement once again pushed oil prices higher and plunged global markets back into uncertainty. According to analysis by the American think tank Soufan Center, Trump’s move may aim to cut off Iran’s export revenues and pressure its major oil importers—especially China—to exert pressure on Tehran, compelling it to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday evening, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said, "The ball is in Iran’s court." He stated that the two core demands the U.S. made during negotiations were control over enriched uranium and an inspection mechanism ensuring Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. Speaking on Fox News, he said Iran had taken "a step toward us," so there were "some positive signals," but "it's still not enough." Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the agreement was close to being reached, but lamented that "we see the U.S. constantly making excessive demands."

Despite the failure of talks in Islamabad, multiple statements indicate that contact between the U.S. and Iran continues.

In parallel, in Washington, under the mediation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, preliminary direct peace talks were held Tuesday between representatives of Lebanon and Israel, although prospects for reaching an agreement remain dim. Prior to the talks, Naim Qassem, leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, called on Monday to cancel the negotiations, branding such talks as "capitulation."

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862445619945484/

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