‘We Won’t Leave’: Iran Draws Red Line at Strait of Hormuz, Warns US of Long War

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated further after a stern warning from Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, following Washington’s naval blockade on Iranian ports.

According to Iranian state media Press TV, Rezaei, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Tehran would not retreat from the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz until its demands are met.

He described the waterway as a key point of leverage and stressed that Iran would continue asserting control in response to what it termed unlawful restrictions on its economic and maritime activities.

"Based on past negotiations, agreements must be drafted more carefully, with a stronger focus on economic issues. Unlike the US, which fears prolonged war, Iran is fully prepared and experienced in long-term war,” Rezaei said, as quoted by Press TV.

Has the US naval blockade failed to stop tankers in the Strait of Hormuz?

The developments come amid reports that a second US sanctioned supertanker entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade imposed by Donald Trump.

Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough.

The US Central Command said on X that 10 vessels had been turned around and no ships had broken through since the blockade began on Monday.

However, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday that an Iranian supertanker under US sanctions had crossed the strait towards Iran’s Imam Khomeini port despite the restrictions. The agency did not identify the vessel or provide further details.

Shipping data from LSEG and Kpler showed that an empty Very Large Crude Carrier named RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday. The vessel is capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, though its destination remains unclear.

Why is Iran accusing the United States and Israel of destabilising the Gulf region?

Iran also intensified its criticism of the United States and Israel, accusing them of destabilising the Gulf region.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called on neighbouring countries to prevent their territories from being used for attacks against Tehran.

"What happened in these 40 days showed that America and the Zionist regime have no regard for the security of the region and the people of the region, and their presence only causes division and discord among the countries of the region," Baghaei said.

He reiterated Iran’s stance on regional ties, stating, "We continue to emphasise that the relations between Iran and the countries of the region must be based on good neighbourliness and friendship, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other."

Baghaei also raised concerns over the alleged use of regional infrastructure in attacks on Iran.

"And on the other hand, we certainly have this expectation, we have clearly declared this grievance, that unfortunately the countries of the region have allowed, intentionally or unintentionally, their facilities, land, sea and air territory to be misused by America and the Zionist regime for an attack on Iran," he said.

Calling for an immediate halt, he added, "This action must certainly be stopped."

(With inputs from ANI)