Iran’s elite force threatens military vessels with “firm response” as tensions escalate following failed negotiations with the United States and renewed blockade threats
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday warned that military vessels should avoid the disputed Strait of Hormuz after peace talks between Tehran and the United States broke down.
In a statement released via state-run media, the IRGC said military vessels attempting to pass through the strait would face a “firm response.” Iran has blocked the vital waterway since the U.S.–Iran war began in late February.
“Permission to transit, in accordance with specific regulations, is granted exclusively to non-military vessels,” the IRGC said, without specifying whether the restriction applied solely to the U.S. military or to all foreign forces.
The warning followed a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Truth Social that he had “instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.”
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump wrote, adding that other nations would support the United States in enforcing the blockade, though he did not identify them.
“Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft and Radar are useless, Ali Khamenei, and most of their ‘Leaders,’ are dead, all because of their Nuclear ambition,” Trump said, referring to Iran’s leadership. “The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear.”
During U.S.–Iran talks mediated by Pakistan on Saturday, the U.S. military said two of its destroyers had transited the strait ahead of planned mine-clearing operations—marking the first such move since the conflict began. Iran’s state media, however, reported that the country’s joint military command denied the claim.
Trump announced last week that the United States and Iran would enter a two-week ceasefire after roughly five weeks of conflict, though traffic through the strait has remained largely stalled. Since the onset of hostilities, global oil and gas prices have surged.
Separately, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place next week in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on April 9 that he had approved direct talks, while the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed on April 10 that discussions are set to begin Tuesday.
Following Trump’s ceasefire announcement with Iran, Israel said last week it carried out 100 strikes in Lebanon targeting the Hezbollah militant group within approximately 10 minutes. Hezbollah also launched attacks on Israeli assets, with its leader Naim Qassem stating that the group would continue fighting.
Before the ceasefire, Trump had warned that the U.S. military would target Iranian power plants and bridges—threatening to effectively cripple the country—if progress was not made toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s nuclear program has long been a focal point of tensions, predating the strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. Officials from both countries have consistently asserted that Tehran is pursuing uranium enrichment capabilities that could lead to nuclear weapons, while Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran must not possess such weapons.
Tehran has denied seeking nuclear arms, maintaining that its program is for civilian purposes. However, inspectors from the United Nations’ atomic agency have reported on multiple occasions that Iran has restricted access to its nuclear facilities.
