Iran warns US against sending ships into Persian Gulf

Iran has warned the United States against deploying naval forces into the Persian Gulf, dismissing claims that its naval capabilities have been destroyed.

Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the Strait of Hormuz remains fully under the control of the IRGC Navy and that Iran maintains complete sovereignty over the strategic waterway.

“Doesn’t Trump say that he destroyed the Iranian Navy? So if he dares, he can send his ships into the Persian Gulf region,” Naini said, referring to US President Donald Trump.

He also claimed that Iran has launched around 700 missiles and 3,600 drones at US and Israeli targets since the conflict began.

According to Naini, the war will only end when what he called the “enemy” recognizes the strength of Iran’s military and its deterrence capabilities. He added that Iran intends to continue its attacks to punish those it considers aggressors.

The conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28. Since then, Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military facilities.

Iran has also effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz since early March, raising global concerns over disruptions to one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.