Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a stark warning on Iranian television on 15/4, stating that Iran would sink US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington attempts to control the strategic waterway. Rezaei challenged, "Trump wants to be the 'police' of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this truly your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?" He added, "The presence of these ships creates significant risks for the US military. They will be sunk with Iran's first volley of missiles. All are within range and can be destroyed at any time."
The Iranian official further escalated tensions by describing a hypothetical US ground invasion as "great," asserting that Tehran "will capture thousands of hostages, then demand a ransom of 1 billion USD per person." Rezaei, who commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997, reinforced his hardline stance, stating, "At this moment, I do not support extending the ceasefire, and this is a personal opinion." He is known for his hardline views and is an influential figure in Iranian politics.
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Mohsen Rezaei speaking on television in 7/2025. *Photo: Aawsat* |
On 7/4, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire to restart diplomatic efforts. On 11/4, representatives from both nations held approximately 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, they failed to reach consensus on key issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's uranium enrichment program. President Trump subsequently ordered a blockade of Iranian seaports, effective 13/4, to exert pressure on Iran. The US military reported on 15/4 that it had compelled 10 vessels departing from Iran to turn back within the initial 48 hours of the blockade.
On the same day, the Iranian military accused the US of "creating insecurity for Iran's commercial and oil tankers," deeming it a "violation of the ceasefire." Iran warned that continued aggression would lead to a blockade of trade through the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Gulf of Oman in retaliation.
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Location of the Strait of Hormuz. *Graphic: Guardian* |
Mediators are urging the US and Iran to extend the two-week ceasefire and schedule a second round of talks to find a lasting solution to the conflict. However, progress remains slow, according to informed sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. While both sides have agreed in principle to meet again, a time and location have yet to be set. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the US is discussing a second round of negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, expressing optimism about the potential for an agreement.
By Nhu Tam (AFP, Reuters)
