An attack on the southern coasts and islands of Iran would result in Gulf traffic being halted through the placement of naval mines, the country’s Defense Council stated today according to state media. The US is considering plans to seize or blockade the Iranian island of Kharg, the country’s main oil export hub, in order to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, according to the Axios website.
“Any attempt to attack Iran’s coasts or islands will result in all maritime access routes to the Gulf … being mined with various types of naval mines, including floating mines that can be deployed from the shore,” according to the statement.
“In this case, the entire Gulf will be practically in a state similar to that of the Strait of Hormuz for a long period … No one should forget the failure of more than 100 minesweepers in the 1980s to remove just a few naval mines.”
The Defense Council reiterated that only non-belligerent states can pass through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran.
Trump’s ultimatum and new message: “Peace through strength”
The Middle East war continues for its 4th week, with US President Donald Trump sending a new threatening message to Iran today, Monday (23/3) as the 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz appears to have no effect.
Specifically, Donald Trump had threatened on Truth Social that the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power generation facilities if the country did not open the Strait of Hormuz “without threats” within 48 hours.
In the post he stated: “If Iran does not FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREATS, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this specific moment, the United States of America will strike and destroy their various POWER GENERATION PLANTS, STARTING FIRST WITH THE LARGEST!”
Trump’s post:
Through a new post on the “Truth Social” platform, Trump stated: “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, TO PUT IT MILDLY!!!”
In turn, the Revolutionary Guards conveyed on Monday (23/3): “If you strike energy facilities, we will strike back too.”
