Iran on Wednesday threatened to impose a maritime blockade in the Red Sea, where it has no direct coastline, if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran said could lead to a breach of the ceasefire.

The commander of the Iranian armed forces, General Ali Abdollah, said that the continued US naval blockade and the creation of uncertainty over the security of Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers would constitute a prelude to violating the ceasefire in place since April 8.

Red Sea (AFP)

In a statement broadcast on state television, he added that the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic would not allow any exports or imports in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Red Sea.

He stressed that his country would act decisively to defend its national sovereignty and interests.

The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports starting Monday, after its negotiations with Tehran in Islamabad on Saturday failed.

However, shipping tracking data on Tuesday showed that a number of vessels departing Iranian ports had crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted unnamed informed sources as saying that shipping activity from Iran’s southern ports had not stopped.

The agency added that Iranian commercial ships had sailed to various destinations around the world over the past 24 hours.