US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a significant move in its naval blockade against Iran. According to the statement, under the blockade, 17 commercial ships were rerouted and 2 ships were disabled. Additionally, 2 ships were boarded to ensure compliance.
The USS Frank E. Peterson Jr. guided-missile destroyer was also reported to be patrolling in the Arabian Sea.
Iran rejects Strait of Hormuz proposal
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that they rejected a proposal put forward during talks in Oman. The proposal involved keeping the maritime shipping route south of the Strait of Hormuz open until negotiations between Iran and Oman concluded, and then closing the strait.
Gharibabadi said, "Whatever the outcome, Iran's fundamental policy will not change. We did not accept this proposal. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the new wave of conflict continue. This is the true manifestation of honorable diplomacy."
Iran warns of military retaliation
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces assessed the US naval blockade attempt as an expansion of the war. The statement from the headquarters noted that the US had threatened commercial ships and oil tankers sailing in Iran's territorial waters and coastal waters over the past three days.
The statement said, "The Iranian Armed Forces, as they have shown on the ground before, will not leave any threat or aggression by the US military unanswered and will respond accordingly."
