Army Operations Deputy: We Will Defend Iranian Tankers Against Threats

The Deputy of Army Operations of Iran reacted to statements from American officials by announcing that this entity will defend Iranian tankers and commercial ships against 'threats.' According to Mehr News Agency, Mahmoud Mousavi stated on Tuesday, November 21, in response to a question about what has been termed 'the threat to Iranian tankers in international waters by the U.S.,' that the Islamic Republic Army is prepared to protect the commercial fleet. He emphasized that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the army, are ready to 'support the trade fleet and Iranian tankers against threats through issued orders according to the hierarchy.' Recently, the United States has asked the global community to prevent Iranian ships from entering their ports, as they will not only face U.S. sanctions but also the possibility of incidents and environmental disasters. The United States has warned that Iranian tankers turn off their 'automatic identification system' to secretly sell oil and avoid detection, which poses risks. Following this warning, the Iranian embassy in London filed a complaint with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened that if Iran cannot export its oil, other countries will also not be able to export their oil. This threat has been interpreted as a potential intention by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil passageways. After these threats, Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the U.S. Navy, warned Iran that the United States would maintain the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. Despite the escalation of verbal warfare between Iranian and American officials, some Iranian officials have ruled out the possibility of military conflict. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and the implementation of the first round of sanctions, the second and most severe round of U.S. sanctions, including oil sanctions, began on Monday, November 14.