Iranian Foreign Minister: US Blockade of Ports is an Act of War, Iran Can "Overcome Restrictions"
Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, April 21 - Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated on the 21st that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is an act of war, thus violating the ceasefire agreement, and the attack on Iranian merchant ships and the detention of their crew members is a more serious violation.
Zarif made the above statement on social media that day. He also said that Iran knows how to "dissolve restrictions, defend its own interests, and resist bullying."
On the 13th, U.S. President Trump stated that the U.S. had implemented a blockade on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the 13th. The U.S. Central Command declared on the 19th that U.S. forces fired on an Iranian cargo ship heading to Iran's Abbas Port that day, causing it to lose propulsion, and U.S. Marines subsequently boarded and took control of the ship.
Iran's Foreign Minister declared that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports constitutes an act of war and violates ceasefire agreements. On April 21, 2023, he condemned the U.S. military's attack on an Iranian cargo ship bound for Abbas Port, which resulted in the ship losing propulsion and being boarded by U.S. Marines. Iran asserts its capability to counter U.S. restrictions and defend its interests.
- U.S. imposed a blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, 2023.
- Iranian Foreign Minister called the blockade an act of war.
- U.S. Central Command confirmed firing on an Iranian cargo ship.
- Iranian cargo ship was heading to Abbas Port when attacked.
- Iran claims it can counteract U.S. restrictions.