Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, issued a stark warning today, stating that the Strait of Hormuz would become a 'graveyard' for US aircraft carriers and their forces. He likened the potential outcome to "abandoned aircraft remains in Isfahan," while accusing the US of being "the only pirate force in the world possessing aircraft carriers." Rezaee emphasized Iran's capability to counter both piracy and enemy warships.

The Expediency Discernment Council is an advisory body to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Before assuming his current role, Rezaee served as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for 16 years.

IRGC speedboats launch missiles during exercises in the Gulf, in a photo released on 16/2. Photo: AFP

The IRGC intelligence unit, on the same day, asserted that "America's decision-making space has shrunk." The unit claimed Tehran had issued a deadline for Washington to lift its port blockade, suggesting the US faces considerable pressure from Russia, China, and its European allies.

"President Donald Trump will have to choose between an unwinnable military operation or an unfavorable agreement with Iran," the IRGC's intelligence unit said.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated Iran's military readiness to defend the nation against any threat. However, he also left the door open for diplomatic solutions, provided the US "changes its coercive approach."

During phone calls with regional foreign ministers, Araqchi attributed the primary cause of insecurity in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to "the military aggression of the US and Israel." He confirmed Iran's continued participation in a new round of Pakistan-mediated negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict, despite a "complete loss of trust" due to perceived repeated US violations of commitments.

These statements followed President Trump's description of the US Navy's actions on 19/4 – shelling and taking control of the Iranian cargo ship Touska – as "like piracy." Trump remarked, "We took over the ship, took over the cargo, took over the oil. Nobody expected us to do this, it's like piracy."

Iran's location in the Middle East. Graphic: Guardian

Iranian state media reported on 29/4 that at least 52 of its ships successfully navigated the US-imposed blockade. Conversely, the US military claimed it had forced over 40 cargo and oil vessels to change course while attempting to breach the blockade.

US officials assert the port blockade is effective, costing Iran billions of USD in oil revenue. Washington believes Tehran is currently unable to export oil and will eventually fill its storage facilities to capacity, leading to a halt in production.

By Thanh Danh (Al Jazeera, PressTV, Tasnim)