Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that any U.S. attempt to impose a maritime blockade on Iranian ports would amount to an expansion of the conflict. The statement follows reports of increased pressure on Iranian commercial shipping during recent regional tensions.
In a statement released Monday night, the military headquarters accused the United States of threatening Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers operating in the country’s territorial and coastal waters. Officials said such actions would receive a response if they continued.
The headquarters stated that Iran’s armed forces consider any effort to block maritime access as a direct escalation. It added that Iranian forces would respond to any actions they view as hostile against the country’s shipping activities.
According to the statement, U.S. actions over the past three days targeted commercial ships and energy tankers near Iranian waters. However, officials did not provide additional operational details or identify specific incidents involving the vessels.
The warning comes after nearly two weeks of continuous military exchanges between Iran and the United States. Although direct attacks have paused during the past several days, political and military tensions remain high across the region.
At the same time, diplomatic contacts have raised cautious optimism that both sides could avoid another immediate escalation. Nevertheless, uncertainty continues as negotiations have reportedly paused without producing a final agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that military action remains an option if diplomatic efforts fail. Consequently, Iranian officials continue issuing warnings while emphasizing their readiness to respond to any perceived threat.
Maritime security remains a critical issue because Iran’s ports and surrounding waterways support regional trade and energy exports. Therefore, any disruption could affect shipping activity, insurance costs, and broader energy markets.
Security analysts say commercial shipping often becomes more vulnerable during periods of heightened regional tensions. As a result, shipping companies and energy traders continue monitoring developments closely before making operational decisions.
Looking ahead, regional stability will likely depend on diplomatic progress and military restraint from both sides. Meanwhile, markets and international observers will continue watching developments surrounding maritime security and future Iran-U.S. negotiations.