Tehran has slammed US President Donald Trump’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying it’s an attempt to provoke Iran into a war.
The Iranian government accused Trump of trying to ‘polarize’ the region and ‘instigate’ conflict.
Tensions Escalate Over Iran-US Conflict
The comments came after Trump told reporters that the US Navy would protect oil tankers from Iranian aggression and threatened to ‘shoot down’ any Iranian planes that interfere.
The US has a significant presence in the region, with the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, while Iran has vowed to defend its vital oil exports.
Tensions between the two nations have been escalating since the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal last year.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a critical waterway for global oil supplies, with around 20% of the world’s crude oil passing through it.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any attempt to close the strait would be met with ‘firm resistance.’
The US has accused Iran of attacking oil tankers in the region, while Tehran has blamed the US and its allies for provoking the conflict.
As the standoff continues, regional powers are bracing for a potential war, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE deploying troops to the border with Iraq.